The helicopters were believed to be carrying people to the popular Seaworld theme park (Picture: EPA)
At least three people have been killed after two helicopters collided over an Australian beach.
The crash happened just before 2pm local time near the popular Seaworld Theme Park.
One of the helicopters managed to successfully land but three occupants of the other helicopter are believed to have died.
One appeared to have been taking off and the other landing when they collided, said Gary Worrell, Queensland state police acting inspector.
One helicopter landed safely on a sandbank, but debris from the other was spread across an area police described as difficult to access.
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Emergency services at the scene on the Gold Coast (Picture: EPA)
The dead and three most seriously injured people were all passengers in the crashed helicopter.
Mr Worrell said: ‘Members of the public and police tried to remove the people and they commenced first aid and tried to get those people to safety from an airframe that was upside down.
‘(People on) Jet Skis, family boaters, ordinary members of the public rushed to assist these people.’
Passengers in the other helicopter, which lost its windscreen in the crash, are also receiving medical assistance.
At least 13 patients were being assessed for injuries, Queensland Ambulance Service said.
One helicopter was left upside down on a sandbar at the water’s edge with debris strewn around Main Beach, on the Gold Coast.
Authorities have closed Seaworld Drive, the access road to the theme park.
At least three people are said to be dead (Picture: EPA)
The two helicopters collided mid-air (Picture: AP)
Witness Emma Burch told the Gold Coast Bulletin the accident appeared to occur when one chopper was taking off and as the other landed.
‘They clipped each other,’ she said.
‘Massive bang heard right through the Broadwater tourist park then the swooshing as the one that lost control hit the water and broke apart.
‘It’s just awful. Everyone is in shock.’
Emergency services rushed to the scene on the Gold Coast (Picture: AP)
The wreckage of the crash that happened around 2pm local time (Picture: News Media Network)
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed it has commenced an investigation into the incident.
‘Transport safety investigators with experience in helicopter operations, maintenance and survivability engineering are deploying from the ATSB’s Brisbane and Canberra offices and are expected to begin arriving at the accident site from Monday afternoon,’ the ATSB said in a statement.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was investigating the collision, chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
The Gold Coast region is at its busiest in January, the peak time for holidays in Australia’s summer.
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The two helicopters crashed on the Gold Coast in Australia.
