Sea World Helicopter crash: Grief turns to anger after Gold Coast tragedy as ... trends now
Passengers have hailed the hero helicopter pilot who incredibly managed to land his crippled chopper safely as chilling video of the tragic Sea World crash emerges.
But for those who have lost loved ones in the tragedy which killed four and left three others critically injured, their grief has turned to anger.
'There is no need to do it - the two helicopters take off about 400 metres apart,' said Neil de Silva, whose wife Winnie and stepson Leon are fighting for life in hospital.
'For me, I think, 'Why on earth would you have them cross each other's path?' It's just not necessary.'
Neil de Silva (pictured) is demanding answers following the horrific helicopter crash that left his wife injured
Shocking video footage shows the moment one passenger tried to warn pilot Michael James, 52, of the other chopper on a collision course with their aircraft.
He can be seen pointing wildly out the window and tapping the pilot's shoulder urgently before tightly gripping the seat in front of him as he braces for impact.
Moments later the helicopter cabin explodes in a shower of shattered glass and metal as the rotor blades of the other chopper slice through the cockpit.
The pilot and passengers are blasted by the shards of deadly debris but amazingly Mr James manages to keep control of the badly damaged aircraft and land nearby.
One of the passengers can be seen pointing out the window before the collision.
He then taps the pilot on the shoulder to draw his attention to the impending danger
The passenger then grip the pilots seat tightly to brace for impact
Moments later the helicopter cabin explodes in a shower of shattered glass and metal as the rotor blades of the other chopper slice through the cockpit
Now his grateful passengers say they owe him their life for his cool head and quick response in the face of unimaginable terror in a cockpit destroyed in the impact.
Two couples from Auckland in New Zealand were on board the pleasure flight with another tourist from Western Australia when the accident happened around 2pm on Monday at Sea World on Queensland's Gold Coast.
The two couples who were travelling together - Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg and Marle and Edward Swart - paid tribute to the pilot in a joint statement on Thursday.
'To our pilot, who, through all the chaos, landed the Helicopter safely, keeping us and other bystanders safe. You are our hero. Thank you so very much,' they said.
Two New Zeaand couples who were travelling together on board the aircraft - Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg and Marle and Edward Swart - have hailed the hero pilot
'Our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the injured and the deceased and their families.
'We are grateful and blessed to have been spared but very sad for the people who lost loved ones and the little ones and mum fighting for their lives in hospital.
'Our hearts are so heavy for them.'
Four people in the second helicopter died in the crash when the rotor unit and gearbox were ripped off their aircraft, sending it plummeting upside down into the sandbar below.
British couple Ron, 65, and Diane Hughes, 57 died when a Sea World EC130 helicopter collided with another chopper mid-air and plummeted 30 metres near the Sea World theme park at 2pm on Monday
Sea World helicopters chief pilot Ash 'Jenko' Jenkinson, 40, died in the helicopter crash (pictured with his wife, Kosha)
Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, 36, was killed while her 10-year-old son Nicholas survived the helicopter crash on Monday
Vanessa Tadros, 36, died along with British newlyweds Ron
