The sole survivor of a horrific helicopter crash that killed four people on the Gold Coast has revealed the first words her kid spoke to her after awakening from a coma.
Winnie De Silva and her nine-year-old son Leon were on a Sea World helicopter on January 2 when it collided with another helicopter and crashed into a sandbank.
Four persons were killed in the crash: pilot Ash Jenkinson, British newlyweds Diane and Ron Hughes, and Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros.
Leon was placed in an induced coma after Ms. De Silva, her son, and Ms. Tadros’ 10-year-old son Nicholas were brought to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Now that he has awakened from the coma, he has given his mother Winnie from Geelong, Victoria, the thumbs up despite being in great agony.
She disclosed that his first words following the terrifying event were, “My leg…”
Winnie Ms. De Silva (shown with her son) disclosed that Leon’s first words after awakening from his coma were “My leg” as he continued to rehabilitate at Brisbane Children’s Hospital.
In a message written from her hospital bed, Ms. De Silva thanked individuals for their “kind thoughts and healing prayers” for herself and her baby.
Ms. De Silva stated, “They are helping me remain optimistic that Leon and I will get through this.”
Ms. De Silva disclosed that her son had emerged from his coma, and she chatted with him via video conference at the Brisbane Children’s Hospital.
She stated, “He gave me a thumbs up and one of his big, beautiful smiles.”
“Today, he uttered two words,’my leg,’ which gives me optimism that he is growing stronger every day.
With more surgery slated for the following week, my whole emphasis is on healing so that I can be with Leon and aid in his recovery over the next few of weeks.
“I cannot wait to embrace my handsome, courageous son!”
During their vacation from Geelong West, Victoria, the De Silva family, including Winnie’s husband Neil, chose to spend lavishly on a helicopter flight.
Mr. De Silva was not aboard the helicopter with his wife and son when it took off from the helipad and collided with the blades of a second chopper landing.
Winnie De Silva and her son were transported to the hospital following the fatal helicopter collision.
Elmarie and Riaan Steenberg and Edward and Marle Swart, two more holidaying couples from Auckland, were aboard the other chopper that landed safely.
The De Silva family’s GoFundMe page has raised more than $60,000 in tributes to the four fatalities.
Ms. De Silva stated, “The generosity of others has been astounding, and I cannot thank you enough.”
“Most importantly, I continue to pray for the recovery of Nicholas, who was sat next to me in the helicopter, and I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of the other passengers. It is an incomprehensible and painful period for all of us.
Four persons were killed in the crash: pilot Ash Jenkinson, British newlyweds Diane and Ron Hughes, and Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros.
The tragic air disaster is still being investigated, and a decision may not be reached until mid-2024.
Angus Mitchell, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), estimated that the initial evidence collection phase of the investigation would last between 6 and 8 weeks.
The investigation will conclude with the publication of a final report, said Commissioner Mitchell.
‘However, if any serious safety issues are uncovered during the course of the inquiry, the ATSB will quickly alert the necessary parties so that proper safety measures can be taken.’
»After awakening from a coma, Sea World Helicopters crash victim Leon de Silva says his first words«