Families express grief at inquest into Sea World helicopter crash

The family of a British couple who died in a Sea World helicopter crash in 2023 say their "lives changed forever" that day.

Pilot Ashley Jenkinson, UK tourists Ronald and Diane Hughes, and New South Wales tourist Vanessa Tadros were killed when two Sea World helicopters collided near the Gold Coast theme park in 2023.

In statements read out on the final day of an inquest into the collision the families of those that died discussed their grief following the event.

Lewis Ainsworth, the son of Diane Hughes, said: "It is impossible to fully put into words the devastation of that day, or the depth of the loss that has followed."

Coroner Carol Lee teared up as she made her closing address to the court after the powerful statements had been read.

The inquest has involved multiple sittings in a bid to understand how and why the deadly crash occurred, including what safety systems were implemented at SeaWorld at the time and whether they were adequate.

An earlier report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found a litany of issues including a faulty radio antenna and discrepancies between maintenance records and components which had been installed in the helicopters.

The report suggested "this introduced vulnerabilities in assurance of airworthiness of these helicopters."

Army medicine expert and aviation accident investigator Dr Jeffrey Brock told the inquest he agreed with the ATSB report's findings.

He also told the inquest he believed Mr Jenkinson had been "likely mildly impaired" from the use of cocaine at a New Year's Eve party two nights prior.

Dr Brock agreed the airspace around Sea World was an "inherently risky" environment.

'No words can explain the loss'

The heartbroken family of Vanessa Tadros said "no words can explain the loss that we have endured".

"What was meant to be a long-awaited Christmas holiday that we had been saving for and looking forward to, and that we worked hard to make happen, ended up being the worst nightmare of our lives," the statement said.

"Vanessa had that positive energy about her that attracted people. She was always happy and joyful. She was always so loving, caring and compassionate. She had the softest heart, a heart of gold."

Ronald Hughes's family thanked the inquest "for the care and thorough consideration given to these proceedings and to the circumstances surrounding our dad's death".

"Our dad was the kind of person whose presence you never forgot," the family said.

"He was funny, generous, hardworking and a big kid at heart. He was truly one of a kind and lived life to the fullest."

Mr Ainsworth, the son of Ms Hughes, added his mother was "a cool mum, warm, loving and endlessly caring".

"We miss her every day. And we know that everyone who knew and loved her misses her too."

The parties now have until October to draft written submissions to the inquest.