Australia: they broadcast an unpublished video of the crash between two helicopters and reveal new details about the accident

A week after two helicopters collided on a tourist beach in Australiaan incident that left four dead and three injured, the local media 7NEWS He shared unpublished images on social networks. Along with the video, new details derived from the investigation were also revealed.

Unlike a recording that was released on January 2, which shows the collision between the two aircraft from the point of view of a citizen who was lying on the ground, the most recent exhibits how part of the tragedy occurred from inside one of the aircraft.

Look: Two helicopters crash on an Australian beach leaves four dead and three injured

In the little more than 30 seconds that the record lasts, you can see how the passengers sitting in the back of the helicopter enjoy the view that Main Beach offers. The driver, for his part, pilots the air vehicle normally while chatting with another passenger, who “offices” as co-pilot.

Moments before the fatal crash occurred, one of the travelers sees in the distance how a second aircraft ascends in his direction and points at it with his finger. He then tries to warn the pilot by repeatedly tapping him on the shoulder. As can be seen in the video, it seems that the aeronaut does not pay attention to it.

Realizing that there is nothing he can do to prevent the collision from occurring, the passenger in question decides to hold on as tightly as possible to the seat in front of him with the intention of protecting himself from the impact. The last few seconds of the video expose how the helicopter’s windshield completely explodes.

On board that aircraft were Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg and Marle and Edward Swart, tourists from Auckland, New Zealand. The pilot was identified as Michael James. Although all suffered serious injuries from the accident, they are currently out of danger.

The analysis of the images and new details about the collision

Peter Carter, a veteran pilot and lawyer, spoke to the local media and assured that These new images are positioned as a key element in the investigation. “They imply that the pilot was not aware of the other aircraft, at the time of flying at 1,000 feet as he was doing,” he said.

And he added: “It suggests that one of the passengers may have been alerted to something through his headphones and was therefore trying to get the pilot’s attention.” In closing, he considered it necessary that transmissions made to Airservices Australia headquarters prior to the incident be heard.

The Australian Transport Security Office is in charge of making the corresponding inquiries about the fact. In recent days, ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell once again appeared before the press and offered new approaches and perspectives on the catastrophe.

Video emerges from inside one of the helicopters involved in Monday’s Gold Coast crash. https://t.co/S46R0VlZrp pic.twitter.com/xbYSyL1yiO

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 4, 2023

“It appears that the main rotor blade of the taking off helicopter collided with the forward cabin of the descending helicopter, causing considerable damage.. We do not know if that was the first point of impact since we have not determined it. But it is a start,” she maintained.

He then highlighted that the second helicopter managed to land in an upright position, taking into account the damage to the front left section of the vehicle – where the pilot sits. “We could have had a much worse situation here,” Mitchell said.

In the coming days, the Transportation Safety Office will examine the wreckage of both aircraft and map the crash site, as well as collect evidence and interview witnesses. “What we need to know now is what was happening in those two cabins at that time,” he said in conclusion.

The remains of both aircraft after the impact at a height of 100 feet. (Dave Hunt – AAP /)

Meanwhile, one of the survivors of the collision Elmarie Steenberg released news of her current state of health through a post on Facebook. “I am still in the hospital, recovering from my injuries. All I can say is thank God for saving us all.”Elmarie posted.

His son Enrico, who was not involved in the incident, did the same, took to Instagram and shared a few words of thanks to the pilot Michael James: “Thank you (sic) to the pilot for saving my parents from the accident. I offer my prayers to the family who lost loved ones.”

Source: Elcomercio