A mid-air collision between two helicopters near Seaworld on Australia's Gold Coast killed four people.
The collision occurred near the Gold Coast's Seaworld Theme Park when one of the planes was taking off and the other was landing.
One helicopter landed safely on a sandbank, but debris from the other was spread across an area inspector Gary Worrell described as difficult to access.
The dead and three most seriously injured people were all passengers in the crashed helicopter.
Emergency services at the scene on the Gold Coast (Picture: EPA)
One of the helicopters was trying to take off when the crash happened (Picture: EPA)
At least four people have been killed in the crash (Picture: EPA)
Emergency workers remove a body from a helicopter collision scene near Seaworld (Picture: AP)
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 According to Emma Burch, the accident appeared to happen as one helicopter was taking off and as the other was landing, she told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
'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 have been dispatched from the ATSB's Brisbane and Canberra offices and are expected to arrive at the accident site on Monday afternoon. The ATSB issued a statement.
According to chief commissioner Angus Mitchell, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau was looking into the collision.
The busiest month for travel to the Gold Coast is January, when summer vacations in Australia are at their most popular.
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