The children of a man who died in a helicopter crash have paid tribute to him as the inquest into the incident continues. Ron Hughes, 65, from Neston, and his wife Diane Hughes, 57, died after two helicopters crashed mid-air on Australia's Gold Coast on January 2, 2023.
The couple, who had only been married for 18 months, were visiting family in Australia. The incident happened at around 2pm local time not far from Sea World in Queensland. One helicopter was taking off and the other was landing.
Crash Details
One helicopter was able to safely land on a sandbank, with five of its six passengers suffering only minor injuries. The other helicopter crashed, killing four of those inside and leaving a further three critically injured. Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros, 36, and Sea World pilot Ashley Jenkinson also died.
As reported by the Australian Associated Press, the inquest into the crash began last year in Brisbane and has been overseen by Brisbane Coroner Carol Lee.
Family Tributes
On Friday, July 24, Ron's children were the first to give their family statements at Brisbane Coroners Court following several weeks of hearings spread over 15 months. Ron's daughter, Jane Manns, said not a day went by that she was not reminded of her dad. She said: "We miss him beyond measure every day."
The couple were on their first holiday since the covid lockdowns. Ron met one of his grandchildren in-person for the first time five days before the crash. Ms Manns said: "He made the most of every moment, letting her paint his nails, put makeup on him and playing endless games with all his grandchildren."
Ron's son, Phil Hughes, talked about his dad's absence at his upcoming wedding. He said: "I always imagined him as my best man: standing by my side, to tell him I loved him, and to know he was so proud of the man I'd become. More than anything, I wish I could get one last hug from him before walking down the aisle. That moment has been taken away from me."
Other Victims
Sydney dad Simon Tadros, whose wife Vanessa died in the crash and son Nicholas was critically injured, said he would not wish his family's ongoing daily grief and trauma on his worst enemy. Mr Tadros said: "Getting closure will be impossible for us, because Vanessa is not with us and I have to see my son living with the consequences of this fatal day."
Nicholas, who has attended the inquest day in, day out with his father, still faced health problems and further surgeries after the crash left the then-10-year-old on life support and needing a leg amputated, Ms Lee was told. Mr Tadros recalled the first time he met Vanessa in a cafe. He said: "Once I got to know her, I knew I wanted to be with her forever."
Inquest Evidence
Sea World Helicopters barrister Michael Trim also provided a statement passing on "very sincere sympathies" to the families for the loss of their loved ones in the "terrible accident". The coroner has heard several weeks of evidence spread over three main sets of hearing days starting from April 2025.
Police recalled a scene of "absolute chaos" as they rushed to locate survivors in the "mangled wreck". The pilot killed in the crash, Ashley Jenkinson, later tested positive for the remnants of cocaine, the coroner heard. Witnesses testified seeing him snorting multiple lines of the drug following a New Year's Eve party in the days before the crash.
Victoria's chief forensic toxicologist Dimitri Gerostamoulos testified that Mr Jenkinson was likely impaired by the after-effects of cocaine, alcohol and little sleep. Sea World Helicopters chief executive Brett Newman strenuously denied any knowledge of Mr Jenkinson having any interest in recreational drugs.
The company had doubled its number of flights for the holiday busy season in what the coroner heard was "one of the busiest air corridors in the country". Sea World owner Village Roadshow Theme Parks sold its joy flights operation in 2019 to Sea World Helicopters, which recently dropped the Sea World name.
Both the Hughes and Tadros families thanked the coroner and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau for their work investigating the crash and hoped it would prevent a similar tragedy in the future. The inquest will spend the next several months receiving written submissions from the parties involved.
