It should have been the holiday of a lifetime.
Crowdsflockedto the glitz and bustle of the Gold Coast, eager to make lasting memories with loved ones as they said goodbye to atrying year and welcomed in a new one.
Among them were 11visitors from all corners of Australiaand beyond.
Keento catch a glimpse of Queensland's sparking turquoise waters and a sprawling coastline that draws crowds from around the world, the group climbedonboard two Sea World Helicopters.
Little did they know that a five-minute joy ride would soon becomean unforgettable day for all the wrong reasons.
Onboard the helicopter with the company's chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson were British couple Dianeand Ron Hughes,Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros and herson, Nicky, 10 and Victorian mumWinnie De Silva, withher son, Leon, 9.
Ms Tadros and her son had a photo taken of them moments before they climbed into the helicopter and took to the skies.
As the passengers'loved ones waved them off, another helicopter was making its return journey.
Pilot Michael James was bringing New Zealand holiday makers Edward and Marle Swart, and their friends Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg, along witha WestAustralian man back from the same sightseeing circuit.
A mere 20 seconds later, the lives of the 13 people onboard — and their loved ones — would be changed forever.
Ascending to the skies just seconds after take-off, Mr Jenkinson's helicopter collidedwiththe landing helicopter.
Horror unfolds in the skies
Footage filmed by a passenger inside Mr James' helicoptershows the frantic moment before the collision, with at least one tourist desperately trying to warn their pilot of the impending crash.
Glass is seen shatteringthrough the cockpit of Mr James' helicopteras passengers plunged through the air.
The main rotor blades of the ascending helicopter struckthe cockpit of the other chopper on itsleft-hand side, sending the rising helicopterplummeting to the ground, where itlandedupside down on a sandbar.
Despitesignificant damage, Mr Jameswas able to regain control of his helicopterand make a miraculousemergency landing on the same sandbar.
On the ground, scores of holiday makers cooling off in the ocean or lined up at Sea Worldwatched the horror unfold above, fearful the helicoptersmight crash on top of crowds.
Sea World staff and recreational boaties rushed to the sandbarin a desperate effort to save the passengers.
Emergency services rendered first aid at the scene, rushing 13people to hospital, three with critical injuries, six with serious injuries and four with minor injuries.
The lives of four passengers were cut devastatingly short that day: UK couple Ron and DianeHughes,mother Vanessa Tadros and pilot AshleyJenkinson.
The pilot of the other helicopter, Michael James, has been since hailed a hero for "remarkably" landing his helicopter,preventing further fatalities.
Ms Tadros's son, Nicky, suffered critical injuries and has since beenfighting for his life intheGold Coast University Hospital.
A special mass will be held at the Western Sydney church attended by the Tadros family in dedication to the boy affectionately known as "Little Nicky".
Parish priest, Father Suresh Kumar, has pleaded for people to "pray for a miracle".
Father Suresh Kumar said Nicky'sschool friends, teachers and fellow parish members atSt Padre Pio Parish are praying for his healing and for the "repose of the soul" of his mum, Vanessa.
Vanessa's husband and Nicky's father, SimonTadros, was among those standing on the Broadwater, helplessly watching on as his most-precious loved ones plunged to the ground.
Helater announced his wife's death and the closureof herevents planning business in a post tosocial media.
Rising tides threatenvital evidence
As rising tides threatened to wash away perishable evidence in the hours after the crash, investigators removed crucial clues from the sandbar overnight and moved the helicopters ashore.
The following day, investigators began scouring the wreckage and interviewing witnesses to determine the forces at play.
In a bid to piece together what led to the tragedy, the Australian Safety Transport Bureau's chief Angus Mitchell called for witnesses to come forward, along with any mobile phone or CCTV footage.
Only a day before the crash, the De Silva family had travelled to the Gold Coast from Victoria for a family reunion to celebrate their new life.
Winnie De Silva had moved to Geelong, south of Melbourne, after migrating from Kenya and had only recently secured a visa for her son, Leon, 9.
Her husband, Neil De Silva, waved off his wife and step son on their joy flight, telling Channel 9 that Leon had wanted to see the dolphins at Sea World from the skies.
On a tight budget, the family booked the flight as an add-on experience forabout $70.
He said in the accidentMs De Silva suffered two broken legs, along with a broken shoulder and collar bone, whileLeon was ina critical condition battling severe head injuries.
The boy waswas airlifted to the Queensland Children's Hospital while Ms De Silva remained at Gold Coast University Hospital.
In a statement from hospital yesterday, Ms De Silva, now in a stable condition, thanked the public for their "kind thoughts and healing prayers" after such an "unthinkable time".
After speaking with her son over video call, she said he was "getting stronger each day".
From hospital, Ms De Silva said she continues to pray for Nicky Tadros, who was seated near her in the same helicopter.
'Huge hole' left inUK family
Arriving on the Gold Coast last week, UK nationals Ron and DianeHughes finally had the chance to reunitewith their Australian familyafter years of border closures.
Described as a "generous, loyal, fun-loving couplewho had a zest for life", their family say theywere loved and adored by everyone they met.
Like the others, the chopper flight was meant to be nothing more than a memory of happy holidays Down Under.
Instead, "a huge hole" has been left in two families across boththe UK and Australia.
"They will be survived by parents, brothers, sons, daughtersand their cheeky grandkids," the pair's family said.
But the Hughes weren't the only tourists from abroad caught in the tragedy.
New ZealandersEdward and Marle Swart had been holidaying with their close friendsRiaan and Elmarie Steenberg when they decided to take theirhelicopter trip.
Onboard the second aircraft piloted by Mr James, the couples escaped without life-threatening injuries.Ms Steenberg and Ms Swart were released from hospital on Thursday.
In a statement, the couples said they havebeen "completely devastated" by the accident and felt "blessed to have been spared".
They thanked those who rushed to their help, describing it as "mateship in action".
Chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson —who had more than 6,000 flying hours under his belt —has been remembered for delivering food to flood victims in Northern New South Wales.
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The 40-year-old dad —survived by his fiancée Kosha and toddler son —was remembered by the head of Sea World Helicopters as a "first-class pilot, a first-class man, and a wonderful father and partner".
As the initial shock dissipates and the new devastating reality for families begins to set in, planning begins for memorials and funerals.
A human chain will be formed at the Broadwater site on January 15in a memorial to remember the victims of the tragedy and those who rushed to their aid.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is set to release a preliminary report into the incident in a matter of weeks, with a final report expected within eight months.
