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Two UK citizens among four killed in mid-air helicopter crash in Australia

The crash occurred around 2pm local time in Main Beach, Queensland Police said in a statement.

Luke O'Reilly
Monday 02 January 2023 23:33 GMT
The crash occurred around on Australia’s Gold Coast (Danny Lawson/PA)
The crash occurred around on Australia’s Gold Coast (Danny Lawson/PA) (PA Archive)

Two UK citizens were among four people killed in a mid-air crash between two helicopters on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The crash occurred around 2pm local time (4am GMT) on Monday in Main Beach, Queensland Police said in a statement.

The force said that ā€œinitial investigationsā€ indicate that the collision occurred when one helicopter was taking off and the other was landing.

One of the helicopters was able to safely land on the sandbank, with only five of its six passengers suffering minor injuries.

However, the other helicopter crashed, killing four of those inside, and leaving a further three critically injured.

The forensic crash unit is investigating the incident with help from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement: ā€œWe are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities.ā€

Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said his thoughts were with those affected by the incident.

ā€œAustralia is shocked by the news of the terrible and tragic helicopter incident today on the Gold Coast,ā€ he said in a tweet.

ā€œMy thoughts are with all those affected, including first responders, and my deepest sympathies are with those who are grieving.ā€

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted that it was an ā€œunthinkable tragedyā€.

ā€œMy deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident.ā€

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