Potential drugs claim delays Sea World helicopter collision probe
Rex Martinich
The investigation into one of Australia’s worst air disasters has been delayed for months due to potential new allegations that pilots used drugs.
A new witness has come forward for the judicial hearings of the fatal Sea World helicopter crash who could provide evidence that “the pilots used illegal substances.”
Pilot Ashley Jenkinson was among four people killed when two joyfly helicopters collided outside a Gold Coast theme park on January 2, 2023.
Jenkinson, 40, later tested positive for cocaine at autopsy; The investigation was told the pilot was seen inhaling multiple lines of the drug at a New Year’s Eve party before the crash.
But an expert panel could not tell Queensland coroner Carol Lee precisely how much his ability to fly would be affected during three weeks of testimony heard at the inquest late last year.
On Monday, Lee was told that potential witness Joshua Williams had contacted investigators.
“A pilot who worked for Professional Helicopter Services between 2022 and 2023 contacted the coroner’s office in December last year,” the solicitor assisting Ian Harvey said.
Professional Helicopter Services hired Jenkinson before he was appointed chief pilot of Sea World Helicopters, a company that operates entertainment flights on behalf of the theme park.
Lee heard Williams’ information should be included as evidence in the investigation.
“Mr. Williams was asked to answer specific questions regarding his knowledge of Sea World Helicopter personnel and the use of illegal substances by Professional Helicopter Services pilots,” Harvey said.
“The potential for evidence on coronial issues is obvious.
“It may be related to the pilots’ use of illegal substances and the general culture of Sea World Helicopters.”
Not all of the witness statements were discussed in court Monday.
Sea World Helicopters’ attorney, Michael Trim, filed a motion Monday to exclude Williams’ information as evidence.
“This evidence has the potential to cause real personal and business harm to my clients… The seriousness of the allegations and the potential harm to reputation and business interests must be taken into account,” he said.
Trim said the witness’s involvement was unclear as his allegations related to events outside Queensland.
“It contains numerous broad and unsupported claims without any clear factual basis.”
Sea World denies Williams’ allegations in the strongest terms, Trim said.
“I am satisfied that this evidence is relevant to the forensic issues I am examining in this investigation,” Lee said after pausing to consider the application.
“The reasons given by the applicants are respectfully inadequate, including Mr Williams’ evidence.”
Inquiry hearings were due to resume in early February, largely to hear testimony from Sea World Helicopters executives.
The coroner said there was no longer enough time to prepare for the new witness and adjourned the hearings to resume on July 13 and continue for two weeks.
Jenkinson and his passengers – British newlyweds Ronald and Diane Hughes, aged 65 and 67, and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, 36 – died when their helicopter crashed into another helicopter during takeoff and crashed 40 meters into the sand.
AAP
