Shocking turn of events in SeaWorld helicopter crash that killed 4 people and injured 9 others

The pilot who died in the horror SeaWorld helicopter crash may have had traces of cocaine in his system, a report has found.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report was released on Tuesday, marking one year since the devastating tragedy that killed four people and injured nine others.

On January 2 last year, two SeaWorld JoyFlight helicopters collided in midair, killing chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros, and British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes. died.

Tadros’ son Nicholas, who was also in the helicopter, survived the accident, but suffered serious injuries and had to have his right leg amputated.

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said a toxicology report had found Mr Jenkinson had “tested positive for low levels of cocaine metabolites” in his system.

However, his report concluded that it was “unlikely” that the low levels of cocaine in Mr Jenkinson’s system would have impaired his flight.

“Forensic pharmacologists working with the ATSB stated that the very low concentrations of these metabolites suggest that the exposure was unlikely to have occurred within 24 hours before the accident.” said Mitchell.

“It is unlikely that the pilot’s psychomotor abilities were impaired.”

Mr Mitchell added that while the interim report was “substantive and comprehensive”, the ATSB had not yet submitted formal findings as it continued to investigate the factors that led to the accident.

In a statement, Mr Jenkinson’s family welcomed the interim report but hoped it would not “tarnish the memory” of the popular pilot.

“On the anniversary of the accident, we recognize the ongoing pain and grief of everyone involved. They remain in our thoughts every day,” the statement reads.

“It is important for those of us who have been severely affected to better understand the multiple contributing factors to this tragic accident.

“We would like to work on Ashley’s autopsy results. The autopsy revealed that Ashley’s body had negligible levels of cocaine metabolites.

The interim report suggests that the levels of these metabolites were so low that they were unlikely to have been used within 24 hours before death and that psychomotor performance was unlikely to have been impaired. He pointed out that there was.

“The forensic pathologist who performed the examination reported that there were “no signs of chronic stimulant use.”

Mr Jenkinson’s family urged people to read the full report, which found “multiple contributing factors to this horrific accident”.

“As a family, we are aware that this finding will attract significant attention. Please do not do this.

“It became clear that there were multiple issues with communications infrastructure, visibility, congestion, and safety protocols,” they said.

Since the tragedy, SeaWorld Helicopters has introduced a new “pad boss” transportation advisor role, added air traffic systems to each helicopter’s avionics system, strengthened communication protocols and made helicopters more visible. We have taken measures to ensure this.

ATSB interviewed key personnel and witnesses, examined both the helicopter and its maintenance records, and collected post-mortem information.

We also reviewed the industry’s understanding of seat belt use, analysis of ADS-B and radar flight tracking information, and CTAF recording and video imagery.

Mitchell added that the next step in the ABTS investigation will be to focus on determining whether systematic factors contributed to or increased the risk of an accident, and the final report will It added that it is expected to be announced later this year.

“This was a tragic accident, and it is our responsibility to clarify the findings of our investigation and put safety measures in place to reduce the likelihood of something like this happening in the future,” Mitchell said.

Ms Tadros’ husband Simon told 2GB host Luke Grant on Monday that he was “definitely interested” in the findings of the ATSB report.

Tadros, who watched from the ground as the helicopter carrying his wife and son crashed mid-air, said someone must be held responsible for the accident.

“I want answers,” he said. “Someone has to take responsibility for that. I know it was an accident, but something like this shouldn’t happen in a high-risk job like this.

“I’ll let the ATSB take its course and do what it has to do. But at the end of the day, someone will be held accountable, regardless of who it is.

“This should never happen and I pray to God it never happens to anyone else because what Nicholas and I and the rest of our family went through was a nightmare.”

Mr Tadros said faith in God and support from people across Australia had helped him and his son get through the past year.

Although things will never be the same again for them, Tadros said he vows to be as positive as possible.

He paid a moving tribute to his wife on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the crash.

“Today marks one year since the worst day of my life happened. It changed my life forever,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Today is the day my wife Vanessa leaves us and sits with our Heavenly Father in Heaven.

“Vanessa was the most beautiful soul a human being could have. Her heart was always filled with love and compassion for everyone.

“Today I want everyone to remember the good times and laughs they had with Vanessa.

“Please pray not only for Vanessa, but for all those who lost their lives in the SeaWorld helicopter crash and their families. Vanessa will never be forgotten.”

Mr Tadros’ son Nicholas, one of nine survivors, underwent 36 surgeries, including the amputation of his right leg.

He said the ordeal had been “very emotionally draining” but he was proud of his son, who was able to walk again despite ongoing health complications.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Nicholas’ maturity and how he has turned this around,” Tadros wrote.

“He had his moment and I’m going to let him have his moment because it’s not easy, but what we’ve always said is, we’re going to sit down and cry like a river. That means no.

“Nothing changes. We just have to pick ourselves up, face it, and get on with it. That’s what we’re doing.”

Ron Hughes’ daughter, who died in the disaster along with his wife Diane a year and a half ago, expressed his sadness at their loss a year ago.

On New Year’s Eve 2022, Mr Hughes was with his daughter Jane Manns, who is based on the Gold Coast.

“Don’t take life for granted, just wake up every day with gratitude,” she recalled him saying to her during a night of celebration on the Neran River.

“He was starting to reflect on his life and said, ‘I’m getting older and I just feel lucky to get up every morning and have another day,'” she told The Courier-Mail. .

“That’s literally what he said (to me),” she said. “It’s so weird when I think back to that conversation.”

All seven crew members on the other helicopter survived.

Pilot Michael James was able to land safely on a sandbank at Southport Broadwater, opposite SeaWorld.

Survivor Winnie de Silva has spoken of the pain, anguish and regret that continues after the crash that left her son Leon, 9, with a brain injury.

“Just thinking about it, just thinking about death. That, and how we survived, was really hard on me and Leon, and it took a toll on me mentally,” she told 7News. Told.

While De Silva’s physical recovery continues – she had shoulder surgery a few days ago and is in constant pain in her legs – the trauma for Leon is more psychological. be.

“Leon is not mentally okay. He gets very emotional,” she said. “He feels it within himself. He knows he has changed.”

De Silva also feels guilty about what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“Leon didn’t want to be in a helicopter,” she said.

“It was a 5 or 10 minute car ride and I should have stopped.” But two minutes later, our lives change dramatically.

“What I remember is the thud, then something falling on our faces, then the air, and then the crash.”

The mother said the situation was completely out of her control and she felt hopeless.

“We’re in the air. There’s no other way out. Where do we go from here? So I dropped everything and said, ‘Let it happen.’ And I I just felt… scared.”

Mr. De Silva thought both he and Leon would die. “How we survived… it’s a miracle. That’s when the angels came and protected us,” she said.

She hopes the ATSB’s full report into the crash will provide some answers.

“The question is, what actually happened?” I’d like that question answered.

“It should never have happened again. Or it should never have happened in the first place.”