Horror pics show Sea World helicopter passengers covered in blood moments after mid-air crash that killed four

HORROR pictures show survivors of a Sea World helicopter crash covered in blood with shrapnel wounds after a fatal mid-air collision. The dramatic images show a passenger with blood streaming down her face and arms moments after their “hero” pilot managed to safely land their damaged helicopter on a sandbank. Dramatic images show a passenger with blood streaming down her face One of the injured passengers with blood pouring down her legs Elmarie and Marle have now been discharged from hospital EPAFour people were killed after the two Sea World helicopters crashed mid-air[/caption] Brits Hughes, 65, and his wife Diane, 57, were among four killed after the two tourist-filled choppers collided near a Sea World resort on the Gold Coast in Australia. Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros, 36, and Ash Jenkinson, 40, the chief pilot for Sea World Helicopters, were also tragically killed. The family of two couples who survived the crash have now shared images of the aftermath as they thanked bystanders for their “care and heroism”. Edward and Marle Swart, and Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg, were on holiday from Auckland, New Zealand when their helicopter collided with another chopper mid-air.  One of the images taken seconds after the crash show Elmarie and Marle clutching each other’s hands in the front seat of the wrecked chopper. Another photo showed another woman sat on the sand with blood pouring down her arms and legs. The two women have been discharged from hospital after suffering severe shrapnel wounds, news.com.au reports. As they prepare to return home to New Zealand, the group said they felt “eternally grateful to have been spared”. “The reality of the last five days’ events is sinking in and is a heavy weight to carry,” a statement read. “The level of support and care we have received from strangers has, however, touched us deeply. “Elmarie and Marle have sustained significant injuries and, at present, are feeling the weight of the recovery journey ahead of them.” The group also thanked their “hero”, pilot Michael James and the bystanders who rushed to help in the moments after the crash. “The person on the jet ski who was first on the scene and helped us out of the helicopter, the off-duty paramedic who ran to our assistance, and the holiday makers who brought us hats, towels and water, and chairs,” they said. “Every police officer and emergency services personnel, both on the scene of the crash and later in the hospital. “The staff of Villas de la Mer who helped our children to visit us and kept them safe. “There are no words to describe our gratitude.” They offered their condolences to those killed and those still fighting for their lives – including 10-year-old Nicholas Tadros, nine-year-old Leon De Silva and his mum Winnie De Silva. “This has been traumatic for us as survivors, and we cannot imagine the terrible sadness their families and loved ones must be feeling,” they said. Horrifying footage showed the moments before the crash as tourists waiting for a flight saw the doomed chopper take off. One child is heard saying: “Is he going to crash?” as the two black Sea World aircraft head towards a collision. Investigators are probing why the pilots apparently did not see each other until it was too late. They believe the main rotor blade of Ash’s chopper – which was airborne for less than 20 seconds – struck the front cockpit of the descending aircraft. Five of the six on board were cut by shards from the smashed windscreen, but the pilot managed to land alongside the wreck of the other chopper. Sunbathers, boaters and jet ski riders then raced to help the victims, police said. At least 13 people required treatment following the tragedy. Angus Mitchell, head of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, said the loss of the rotor blade sent Ash’s copter into an “uncontrolled fall”. He said: “That led to the main rotor in the gearbox separating from the main helicopter, which then had no lift and has fallen heavily to the ground.” Sea World Helicopters expressed its sympathy for those involved in the crash – and said it is cooperating with the authorities to find out what happened.