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New photos capture devastating reality of helicopter collision

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains images that some readers may find disturbing. </strong></em></p> <p>Four of the survivors of the deadly Gold Coast helicopter collision have released a series of photos that document the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. </p> <p>New Zealand couples Marle and Edward Swart, and Elmarie and Riaan Steenberg, were on board the descending helicopter that was struck by one just taking off. </p> <p>The ascending helicopter crashed to the ground, killing four people on board and wounding three other passengers. </p> <p>On Sunday, the four New Zealand survivors issued a collective statement, sharing how they are still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. </p> <p>"We want to express our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the injured, deceased, and their families," they said.</p> <p>"Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss. This has been traumatic for us as survivors, and we cannot imagine the terrible sadness their families and loved ones must be feeling."</p> <p>The couples also offered their gratitude to those who helped them, including their "hero" pilot Michael James, bystanders who rushed to their aid and emergency and medical personnel who helped them.</p> <p>"Their care and heroism changed our lives," the statement said.</p> <p>"Our pilot, Michael James. You are our hero. You landed the helicopter safely and kept the bystanders and us safe. We are eternally grateful to you."</p> <div>"Unidentified bystanders who ran to our assistance. 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, the holidaymakers who brought us hats, towels and water, and chairs."</p> <p>"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."</p> <p>"Every staff member involved in our care at Robina Public Hospital. Your discretion and compassionate care during our stay brought us much comfort. We will always remember your kindness."</p> <p>"Our community in New Zealand for all their well wishes and messages of comfort.</p> <p>"Our dear family and friends in Australia who have supported us over this period. We appreciate you so very much."</p> <p>"Craig and the staff of Sea World Helicopters for their support. We also want to express our deep condolences for the loss of pilot Ashley Jenkinson."</p> <p>"The reality of the last five days' events is sinking in and is a heavy weight to carry," they said.</p> <p>The four survivors also shared a series of images of their recovery in the hospital, as well as a photo snapped from inside the wreckage of the helicopter. </p> <p>The four said they would continue to help the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Queensland Police with their investigation into the incident as needed.</p> <p>They are headed home to New Zealand, where Elmarie and Marle will continue their lengthy recovery.</p> <p><em>Image credits: The Swart and Steenberg families</em></p> </div>

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Police charge teen over horrific Harbour Bridge smash

<p dir="ltr">A 19-year-old Queensland man has been <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-09/police-identify-alleged-sydney-harbour-bridge-crash-driver/100895066" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> by detectives for allegedly stealing a car before causing a fiery three-car crash that closed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police were able to identify the man as Christopher Walker one day after releasing a photo of his arm and calling on the public to help. </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-42ab4a56-7fff-a17b-f4f7-0a37536b382d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The image showed a distinctive tattoo of a large eye on Mr Walker's hand with wavy lines that extended across his fingers and wrist.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/tattoo.jpg" alt="" width="322" height="215" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Police released an image to help them identify the driver. Image: NSW Police</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-422bd487-7fff-c897-3d6e-a741b2a5d96a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">They allege he drove a Toyota Kluger SUV which swerved into oncoming traffic and careened into a van on Monday morning.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sydney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sydney</a> Harbour Bridge closed due to a terrible multi-vehicle crash that brought all lanes to a standstill.<br />Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and use Sydney Harbour Tunnel instead.<br />Stay safe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SydneyHarbour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SydneyHarbour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dryadusingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dryadusingh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrAmitSarwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrAmitSarwal</a> <a href="https://t.co/umbbU6oiIg">pic.twitter.com/umbbU6oiIg</a></p> <p>— The Australia Today (@TheAustoday) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAustoday/status/1500600916746989572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Mr Walker remains in hospital under police guard, where he is being treated for suspected head injuries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police have laid several charges against him, including dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police also allege Mr Walker stole the keys to the SUV from a man he assaulted in the CBD just before 7am on Monday.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-70f75b7e-7fff-0c28-ab75-171c2294c000"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Emergency services were then called to the three-car crash a short time later, after the SUV flipped on its roof and burst into flames during morning peak hour.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Sydney Harbour Bridge is closed and three people have been injured – including one who was trapped – after a horror head-on crash during peak hour.<br />Inquiries are continuing into the incident.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/australia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#australia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sydney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sydney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/habourbridge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#habourbridge</a> <a href="https://t.co/1U05QgKMpV">pic.twitter.com/1U05QgKMpV</a></p> <p>— 5 News Australia (@5NewsAustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/5NewsAustralia/status/1500671979023892480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The two other drivers were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries, with the van driver sustaining serious leg and pelvic injuries and a woman driving a Honda Civic sustaining minor injuries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police have spoken to several witnesses over the past few days who were on the bridge at the time of the collision of saw the lead-up.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Walker <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/man-charged-over-fiery-harbour-bridge-crash-and-alleged-carjacking-20220309-p5a37w.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appeared</a> before Central Local Court via a bedside hearing on Wednesday afternoon, where he was formally refused bail.</p> <p dir="ltr">He is due to appear in court again on March 23.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><em>Image: @5NewsAustralia (Twitter)</em></p>

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Man who abducted wheelchair-bound partner dies two days after her

<p dir="ltr">A man who <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/man-charged-with-abducting-wheelchair-bound-partner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abducted his wheelchair-bound partner</a> from a Perth nursing home and attempted to cross the border with her has died just two days after her.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ralph “Terry” Gibbs, 80, died after his car collided with a utility truck on Wednesday morning south of Bowen, in Queensland’s north.</p> <p dir="ltr">His death came just 48 hours after that of 84-year-old Carol Lisle, his partner of 15 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 84-year-old, passed away in an aged care facility in Mandurah, Western Australia, where she was living with dementia and Parkinson’s disease.</p> <p dir="ltr">They died just a week after Mr Gibbs appeared before a Perth magistrate over charges of deprivation of liberty and endangering Ms Lisle’s life, after he took her out of her aged care home in January and tried to drive her across the border during heatwave conditions.</p> <p dir="ltr">He received a seven-month suspended sentence and a restraining order to prevent him from contacting Ms Lisle.</p> <p dir="ltr">Outside court, Mr Gibbs described Ms Lisle as “my little sweetheart” and said he fought “for over a year to get her back so we can see each other because she has dementia and may not last much longer”.</p> <p dir="ltr">A close friend of Ms Lisle, who didn’t want to be named, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-24/ralph-gibbs-kidnapped-partner-from-nursing-home-dies-after-her/100856128" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the <em>ABC</em></a><em> </em>she passed away in the early hours on Monday morning.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having known Ms Lisle for 24 years, the friend said she was loved and well-looked after at the nursing home, and that she had been very unwell since she was taken by Mr Gibbs in January.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carol’s friends are devastated at her passing and believe the separation from her loved ones contributed to her death,” the friend said.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a <a href="https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2022/02/23/fatal-crash-bowen-4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, Queensland Police said Mr Gibbs was driving north along the Bruce Highway early on Wednesday morning when he collided with the other vehicle which was being driven by a 60-year-old man.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gibbs died at the scene of the crash, while the other driver was airlifted to a local hospital and is believed to be in a serious condition.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland’s Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: WA Police</em></p>

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Former reality TV star killed in head-on collision

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Queensland man has died in a head-on crash in Beerwah, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">James Ciseau, known for his role in the 2019 season of reality TV show </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bride and Prejudice</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, passed away after being involved in a collision at 4pm on Monday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He has been remembered by loved ones for his “jovial” nature and how he lived a life of happiness, as reported by </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/community/james-ciseau-tribute-sisters-mourn-big-brother-killed-in-horror-beerwah-crash/news-story/d9b6f1dc08413ee6c820740a32a36abb" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Courier Mail</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His sisters Lauren and Jacinta Ciseau paid tribute on Tuesday morning, with the support of family, and shared their fondest memories of him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lauren, 33, described the father-of-two as her “brother bear” and a “protector” with a “heart of gold”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“James was loved by anyone he met, he’d walk into a room and would make it brighter, like a ray of sunshine,” she </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/bride-and-prejudice-star-james-ciseau-killed-in-horror-queensland-crash/news-story/ff41a8fbdf23fcbe8169536db8e7aacb" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He had so much energy and constantly wanted to be around people.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“His favourite word to describe himself was jovial.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jacinta spoke of her brother as the “most caring human”, and of his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You’d see him speaking to someone at the shops and you’d assume he knew them, then you’d ask him and they’d be strangers. He just had the time of day for anyone,” the 34-year-old said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He touched so many lives.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWktggrlFWJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWktggrlFWJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by James Ciseau (@james_ciseau)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sisters, who grew up with the closest of bonds with their brother, said family meant everything to James. They spoke of his doting daughters Olivia-Rose and Bella-Pearl, the “smart arse” comments he made to his sisters, and how he would cook for those closest to him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He was the most amazing father to those girls, they would look up to him so much,” Lauren said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He was the same with his nieces and nephews, so close with the kids and as a husband.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Family time was his all. Any spare time he had he would spend with us.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mourners also shared their condolences through social media, including Sunshine Coast football where he and his father were involved.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 36-year-old pool builder lived with his mum Deborah and stepfather Barry until his death.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the cause of the “head on” crash was under investigation.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @james_ciseau (Instagram)</span></em></p>

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Concern over dropped charges against Dr Charlie Teo’s daughter

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The daughter of neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has had charges against her for dangerous driving withdrawn by the Crown.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nicola Teo was accused of dangerous driving after she crashed into former Comancheros boss Jock Ross in Sydney’s northwest in 2019.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 26-year-old was driving on the wrong side of the road when her Toyota Landcruiser collided head-on with Ross’ motorcycle.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bikie boss was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Teo faced a maximum of seven years imprisonment and had pleaded not guilty to four charges, including negligent driving and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The trial, which was scheduled for Monday, May 21, was delayed for a psychiatric report to be prepared.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Tuesday, NSW District Court Judge Warwick Hunt dismissed the case and told Teo she was now “free to go and get on with your life” after the Crown withdrew the charges.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking after court on Tuesday, Mr Ross’s distraught daughter Holly Gittany said the family was concerned at the way in which the charges were suddenly dropped.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She told reporters her father was still suffering from the lingering effects of the crash.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Gittany said Mr Ross, now in his late 70s, had been forced to quit his job with the Rural Fire Brigade due to his injuries.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“What happened today was not right,” she said. “My Dad’s never been the same again. My Dad was severely injured. He was hit head-on.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: news.com.au</span></em></p>

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The car brands that now offer new life-saving airbag technology

<p>Hyundai and Kia are working hard to bring hi-tech airbags to vehicles. This is due to the increase in multi-collision crashes.</p> <p>Multi-collision accidents are crashes where the primary impact is followed by collisions with secondary objects, such as trees, electrical posts or other vehicles. These occur in three out of every 10 accidents.</p> <p>According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the introduction of these airbags would boost driver and passenger safety in up to a third of accidents.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824406/airbag-tech.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2fd7b4f9994b4b26aa57df67eda61ed8" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>(Source: Hyundai Australia)</em></p> <p>The technology works by readying the airbags that haven’t deployed with the initial impact to go off at lower impact levels, so they’re able to deploy more quickly in other crashes.</p> <p>Taesoo Chi, Hyundai safety engineer, believes this change will save lives.</p> <p>“By improving airbag performance in multi-collision scenarios, we expect to significantly improve the safety of our drivers and passengers,” Chi says.</p> <p>“We will continue our research on more diverse crash situations as part of our commitment to producing even safer vehicles that protect occupants and prevent injuries.”</p>

Technology

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Air Canada pilot narrowly avoids landing on four passenger planes

<p>An Air Canada jet was close to causing the biggest disaster in aviation history by nearly landing on four other passenger planes on Friday.</p> <p>The Airbus A320 was supposed to land at San Francisco’s 28R runway but instead headed towards the parallel taxiway that is for planes about to take off.</p> <p>The incident occurred at 11:56 on Friday night as the Air Canada jet carried 135 passengers and five crew members.</p> <p>The terrifying close call could have claimed more than a thousand lives.</p> <p>Retired United Airlines Captain Ross Aimer, CEO of Aero Consulting Experts, told The Mercury News, “If it is true, what happened probably came close to the greatest aviation disaster in history.”</p> <p>The near-miss was captured in air traffic control audio posted online.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" width="698" height="573" scrolling="no" id="molvideoplayer" title="MailOnline Embed Player" src="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/1499225.html"></iframe></p> <p style="text-align: center;">The Air Canada pilot is heard asking SFO control if he’s heading towards the correct runway.</p> <p>“Tower control, I just want to confirm that – this is Air Canada 759, I can see some lights on the runway there, across the runway, can you confirm we're good to land?”</p> <p>“Canada 759, confirmed to land on runway 28-Right, there is no one on 28-Right but you.”</p> <p>However, the pilot wasn’t lined up for the correct runway and was instead heading towards Taxiway C, where four planes were positioned for take-off.</p> <p>As the Air Canada jet pilot thanks the tower, another pilot quickly buzzes in saying, “Where is this guy going? He's on the Taxiway!”</p> <p>The tower immediately directs the plane to “go around” and it peels off, narrowly avoiding a collision with the other planes.</p> <p>“Air Canada flew directly over us,” another pilot says.</p> <p>“Yeah, I saw that guys,” replies the tower.</p> <p>Captain Aimer said if the tower hadn’t quickly redirected the jet plane, disaster would have ensued.</p> <p>“If you could imagine an Airbus colliding with four passenger aircraft wide bodies, full of fuel and passengers, then you can imagine how horrific this could have been,” he said. </p>

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Mountain biker collides with bear while cycling

<p>A cyclist in California was enjoying a casual ride near Lake Tahoe when he crashed his bike — into a bear.</p> <p>Davis Souza was mountain biking with friends on Mills Peak trail in the US when he crossed paths with the startled animal. He caught the whole collision on what appears to be a GoPro camera and posted the video to his Instagram.</p> <p>"This bear came out of nowhere and was gone before I could ask if it was alright or anything… Volume up!" he wrote.</p> <p>At first, it's tough to tell what is happening. But a closer look at the slow motion footage confirms that the bear definitely did not have the right of way.</p> <p>Have you ever had a bizarre animal encounter like this?</p> <p>Share your thoughts in the comments.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / savydouza</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/10-pictures-from-secret-english-villages/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 pictures from secret English villages</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/10-photos-capture-the-beauty-of-the-italian-dolomites/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 photos capture the beauty of the Italian Dolomites</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/10-views-you-can-only-experience-from-a-train/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 views you can only experience from a train</strong></em></span></a></p>

International Travel

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Lucky kangaroo narrowly avoids car collision

<p>We’ve heard of close calls, but this is something else entirely.</p> <p>In the above video a pair of mates are travelling down a stretch of road in outback Australia.</p> <p>When suddenly, out of nowhere, a kangaroo hops into sight.</p> <p>The footage is captured on the dashboard camera.</p> <p>As we can see, Skippy is lucky to get out of the incident with his tail intact! </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/fence-lets-dogs-people-watch/"><strong>This fence lets dogs people watch</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/how-to-find-birthday-word/"><strong>The word that was invented the year of your birth</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/homemade-drain-cleaning-solution/"><strong>Homemade drain-cleaning solution to unclog sinks quickly</strong></a></em></span></p>

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