Sea World helicopter crash survivor Leon de Silva returns to basketball team Lara Giants
Inspiring moment as nine-year-old SeaWorld helicopter survivor steps onto basketball court after waking up from coma
- Nine-year-old boy after Sea World helicopter crash returns to court
- Leon de Silva played his first basketball game since the crash
- He suffered brain trauma in the collision and was kept artificially in a coma
A young boy has been hailed as a hero as he made his triumphant return to the basketball court after being badly injured in the Sea World helicopter crash.
Leon de Silva, 9, and his mother Winnie de Silva, 33, were aboard one of the helicopters that collided in mid-air on January 2 on the Gold Coast.
The horror unfolded when two helicopters crashed into each other near the Sea World theme park, killing pilot Ash Jenkinson, Diane and Ron Hughes, and Vanessa Tadros.
Leon suffered brain trauma from the impact and had to be kept in an induced coma.
His mother was also seriously injured, but both are now on their way to recovery at their home in Geelong, Victoria.
Leon de Silva (pictured), 9, has made a triumphant return to the basketball court and was welcomed as a hero in his first game since he was seriously injured in the Sea World helicopter crash
Leon (left) suffered brain trauma from the impact and had to be kept in an induced coma. His mother Winnie (right) was also seriously injured, but both are now on their way to recovery at their home in Geelong
Two months after the crash, Leon returned to the field with his local basketball team the Lara Giants, where he received a hero’s welcome.
“Today, Leon made his return to the basketball court and played a brilliant game, tying the highest score for his team with four points,” said the Lara Giants.
But what was even more amazing was seeing Leon doing what he loves, with a huge smile and the support of his friends.
“Leon, we are so proud of you and how brave you have been and still are. You are an inspiration to all of us.
“Well done little champ, can’t wait to see you continue your basketball journey.”
The nine-year-old wore a helmet for protection on his return but it didn’t affect his performance, he was named player of the week and tied the game with four points.
The nine-year-old wore a helmet for protection on his triumphant return to the field, but it didn’t affect his performance, he was named player of the week and tied the game with four points.
Lara Giants said Leon was solid on defense, got a few steals and dribbled a lot on the full court.
“A great all round game from an inspiring kid,” said Lara Giants.
Their rivals, the CC Eagles Basketball Club, also learned of Leon’s return.
“Great to hear you’re playing basketball again Leon. Well done,” said CC Eagles Basketball Club.
Lara Giants said Leon was solid on defense, got a few steals and dribbled a lot on the full court
It was revealed on Tuesday that a pilot of one of the helicopters “couldn’t remember” his fellow pilot making a standard taxi call to let them know he was about to take off before the helicopters crashed.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the pilot thought the second helicopter was going to pass behind his plane and he does not recall the other pilot radioing him to say he was taking off.
Air crash investigators say pilot Michael James told them he saw five passengers boarding the second helicopter at a helipad near Sea World when it came ashore on Jan. 2.
“While video footage taken on mobile phones by passengers in both helicopters includes footage from the other helicopter, it does not mean that the other helicopter was visible to either pilot,” Mitchell said.
“The investigation will look closely at the problems both pilots encountered when seeing the other helicopter.”