Geelong mother Winnie De Silva has thanked online cash donors for their “amazing” generosity after she and her son Leon were injured in a helicopter collision that killed four people on the Gold Coast.
Winnie, husband Neil, and Leon were enjoying a holiday in Queensland when mother and son decided to take a joy ride in a Sea World helicopter at the Gold Coast Broadwater.
The family set up a GoFundMe campaign, which has so far raised $67,000 to help pay for their medical and other costs while they remain on the Gold Coast.
Shortly after take-off, the helicopter collided with another Sea World chopper, causing it to plummet to the ground.
Winnie, 33, was rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital where she was admitted in a serious but stable condition, while critically injured Leon was taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane where he was induced into a coma.
Leon awoke last Thursday, January 7, and he remains in a stable condition.
The 40-year-old pilot of the De Silva’s helicopter, Ashley Jenkinson, was killed in the crash, as were three other passengers, Vanessa Tadros, 36, and Britons Ron and Diane Hughes, 65 and 67.
Vanessa’s son Nicholas Tandros, 10, survived but also remains in a critical condition at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
The second helicopter was able to land safely, with all of its six passengers escaping without serious injury.
Winnie released a statement praising donors’ generosity to their GoFundMe campaign.
“We are so grateful for the generous contributions to the GoFundMe page. The generosity of people has been amazing, and I can’t thank you enough,” she said.
“More importantly, I continue to pray for the recovery of young Nicholas, who was seated near me in the helicopter, and offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers.
“It is an unthinkable and difficult time for us all.”
More than 1300 donors contributed to the De Silva fundraiser, with dozens of people pledging amounts between $200 and $700 in the space of three days.
Details: gofundme.com/f/help-winnie-leon-seaworld-crash-victims
