A SAFETY report into a helicopter crash that killed four people, including a couple from Neston, has been released by Australian investigators one year on from the incident.
Ron Hughes, and his wife Diane, 65 and 57, were killed when two sightseeing helicopters crashed on the Australian Gold Coast on January 2 2022.
Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros, 36, and Sea World pilot Ashley Jenkinson also died.
The couple, who had been married for just 18 months, were visiting Ron's daughter, Jane, and her family in Australia when the tragedy occurred.
READ > 'He would be proud': Daughter of helicopter crash victim continues Neston business
READ > Neston pays tribute to couple killed in Australian helicopter crash
Yesterday (Tuesday, January 2), exactly one year on from the crash, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau released an interim report detailing contextual information established as part of its ongoing investigation into the crash.
"To date, the ATSB has undertaken extensive work to understand and recreate the events of the day in order to identify and examine the context and risk controls that existed at the time," Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
"The ATSB analysis framework looks at a hierarchy of factors arranged in their relative proximity to an event, and this investigation has so far concentrated on elements closest to the event: individual actions, vehicle/equipment performance, local conditions, and risk controls."
Mr Mitchell noted the evidence includes a toxicology report for the fatally injured pilot, showing a positive result for low levels of cocaine metabolites.
“A forensic pharmacologist engaged by the ATSB has stated that the very low concentrations of these metabolites suggest exposure was not likely to have occurred in the 24 hours prior to the accident, and it is unlikely there would have been impairment of the pilot’s psychomotor skills,” he said.
“It is important to note while this is a substantive and comprehensive interim report, the ATSB is yet to make formal findings as to the contributing factors that led to this accident as we are continuing our analysis of that evidence.”
Moving forward, Mr Mitchell said the investigation would consider whether any systemic factors contributed to, or increased risk in the accident.
The ATSB’s final report, which will include analysis, findings, and any recommended safety actions, is on track for an anticipated completion in the third quarter of 2024.
“This was a tragic accident, and it is our responsibility to make findings and drive safety actions, which reduce the likelihood of a similar occurrence in the future,” Mr Mitchell said.
Ron was the owner of the business Concept Interiors which was located on the Neston high street.
His daughter, Faye Hughes, took over the business following her dad's death and in May told the Globe he "would be so proud".
She said: "He couldn't walk down the street without someone saying hello to him.
"He was just so well-loved by people and everyone says to me how he was such a gentleman and so kind which is really nice".
You can read the full safety report here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here