British couple killed in Australia chopper crash were visiting relatives they had not seen for years

The British newlyweds killed in a mid-air crash between two helicopters in Australia had arrived in the country days before the tragedy to visit relatives they had not seen for years because of the Covid pandemic, their heartbroken family revealed today.

Ron and Diane Hughes, aged 65 and 57, were two of four victims who died when the two helicopters collided in front of hundreds of horrified tourists on Main Beach on Australia’s Gold Coast on Monday.

Mr and Mrs Hughes, who married in August and have been described by their family as a ‘fun-loving couple who had a zest for life’, had arrived in Australia last week to visit Mr Hughes’ daughter Jane Manns and his grandchildren.

In an emotional tribute, their family said the ‘generous and loyal’ couple were ‘loved and adored by everyone they met’, adding they were still ‘struggling to come to terms with their loss’.

Officials have said the fatal crash near Sea World occurred less than 20 seconds after one helicopter took off from a sandbar and collided with another aircraft that was landing at the same time.

Mr and Mrs Hughes, from Neston, Cheshire, were killed alongside British pilot Ash Jenkinson, 40, and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, 36. Tadros’ ten-year-old son was pulled from the wreckage and is in a critical condition in hospital.

Two other people on board – Winnie De Silva, 33, and nine-year-old Leon – were also hospitalised. Of the six occupants in the other helicopter, flown by Michael James, five suffered minor injuries while one left the scene unscathed.

‘We are deeply saddened and still in a state of shock from the events that unfolded on Monday,’ Mr and Mrs Hughes’ family told the Liverpool Echo in a statement.

‘Ron and Diane arrived last week, visiting our family on the Gold Coast after being separated by Covid for the last few years.

‘They were the most generous, loyal, fun-loving couple who had a zest for life and were loved and adored by everyone they met.

‘Tragedies like this happen to ‘other people’ and we are all struggling to come to terms with our loss.

‘They leave a huge hole in our family and will be survived by parents, brothers, sons, daughters, and their cheeky grandkids.’

The family thanked the first responders, emergency services and Sea World staff for their efforts to save the couple.

They also said their thoughts were with everyone impacted and that they were praying for the recovery of survivors still in hospital.

‘Finally, the outpouring of love from our friends, family and the Gold Coast community has touched us all and will never be forgotten,’ they added.

Following the incident Diane’s brother Dave Boyce wrote on Facebook: ‘For those who don’t know my sister and her husband were involved in the helicopter crash on the Gold Coast yesterday.

‘We would also like to thank you all for the love and support we have received. We are truly humbled at this heartbreaking time.’

The fatal crash occurred just 20 seconds after the lower aircraft took off and the two Eurocopter EC130s collided around 250ft off the ground.

As the first chopper gained altitude, it smashed into the second aircraft, which appeared to be descending.

The churning rotors of the first helicopter ripped into the cabin of the second one, shattering its glass cockpit just inches from the pilot and passengers inside.

Witnesses said they saw a terrifying cloud of broken glass and debris explode as the two aircraft ploughed into each other in mid-air.

The devastating force of the collision ripped the rotor unit and gearbox from the lower chopper, immediately sending it hopelessly tumbling out of control.

It spun upside down and plummeted to the ground below, smashing into a sandbar, killing the pilot, Mr and Mrs Hughes and Ms Tadros on impact.

Mr James meanwhile managed to land his aircraft upright on a sandbar between Sea World and Gold Coast’s popular Broadwater beach. It meant that five of the six occupants of his helicopter minor injuries while one left the scene unscathed.

The Sea World pilot has been hailed a ‘hero’ for saving the lives of his five passengers – couples Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg, and Marle and Edward Swart, and a tourist from Western Australia. 

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: ‘We are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities.’

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

‘Australia is shocked by the news of the terrible and tragic helicopter incident today on the Gold Coast,’ he said in a tweet.

‘My thoughts are with all those affected, including first responders, and my deepest sympathies are with those who are grieving.’

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted it was an ‘unthinkable tragedy’.

She said: ‘My deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident.’