MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two helicopters collided in an Australian vacationer hotspot Monday afternoon, killing 4 passengers and seriously injuring 3 others in a crash that drew emergency help from beachgoers playing the water all over the southern summer season.

One helicopter gave the impression to had been starting up and the opposite touchdown after they collided close to the Sea International theme park in Major Seashore, a northern seaside at the Gold Coast, Gary Worrell, Queensland state police performing inspector, mentioned at a information convention.

One helicopter landed safely on a sandbank, however particles from the opposite was once unfold throughout a space police described as tricky to get admission to.

The useless and 3 maximum significantly injured other folks had been all passengers within the crashed helicopter.

“Participants of the general public and police attempted to take away the folk they usually commenced first help and attempted to get the ones other folks to protection from an airframe that was once the other way up,” Worrell mentioned.

“(Folks on) Jet Skis, circle of relatives boaters, bizarre individuals of the general public rushed to help those other folks.”

Passengers within the different helicopter, which misplaced its windscreen within the crash, also are receiving clinical help.

Pictures of the crash confirmed a helicopter in a while after takeoff being clipped by way of any other helicopter flying over the water.

Sea International Helicopters, a separate corporate from the theme park, expressed its condolences and mentioned it was once cooperating with the government dealing with the crash investigation.

“We and all of the flying neighborhood are devastated by way of what has took place and our honest condolences pass to all the ones concerned and particularly the family members and circle of relatives of the deceased,” the remark mentioned.

The corporate didn’t ascertain if it operated one or each helicopters concerned within the crash, pronouncing within the remark it might no longer remark additional as a result of the investigation.

A witness named John advised Melbourne radio station 3AW that buyers at Sea International heard the crash.

He mentioned personnel on the theme park moved impulsively to near off spaces closest to the crash.

“There was once a large, large bang,” he mentioned. “It was once simply massive. I’m no longer positive if it was once the propellers or no matter hitting in opposition to every different. However there was once this deficient girl and her son close to the helipad in tears.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk mentioned the coincidence was once an “unthinkable tragedy.

“My inner most sympathies are with every of the households and everybody suffering from this horrible coincidence,” she mentioned.

Australian Shipping Protection Bureau leader commissioner Angus Mitchell mentioned an investigation into the reason for the crash was once underway.

Queensland Ambulance Carrier mentioned previous that 13 other folks had been being assessed for accidents.

The Gold Coast area is at its busiest in January, the height time for vacations in Australia’s summer season.