Helicopters collide over Australian beach, 4 passengers dead

Melbourne, The Gulf Observer: Two helicopters collided in an Australian tourist hotspot Monday afternoon, killing four passengers and critically injuring three others in a crash that drew emergency aid from beachgoers enjoying the water during the southern summer.

The other helicopter managed to land safely, Queensland state police said in a statement. It did not say how many people were injured.

The dead and three most seriously injured people were all passengers in the crashed helicopter.

Helicopter debris was spread over a sandy outcrop after the collision, which occurred near Main Beach, a northern beach on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Authorities closed Seaworld Drive, which leads to the crash site. The Seaworld theme park is nearby.

Queensland Ambulance Service said paramedics and police were at the scene.

The Gold Coast region is one of the nation’s most popular tourism spots and is at its busiest in January, the peak time for holidays in Australia.