“A miracle that I’m here”: Sea World helicopter crash survivor speaks out
<p>Disaster survivor Winnie De Silva has spoken to <em>Sunrise</em>’s Monique Wright about the devastating Sea World helicopter ride that she and her son, Leon, were passengers of.</p>
<p>Winnie met Monique with a smile from her wheelchair, a necessity in the wake of her injuries - two broken legs, a crushed collarbone, blood clots, a severely wounded liver, and burns.</p>
<p>Winnie and Leon were two of three survivors from their helicopter, with the other four people onboard losing their lives <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/investigation-launched-after-helicopter-crash-sees-four-dead" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in the accident</a>. </p>
<p>“It was just a miracle that I’m here,” Winnie told Monique.</p>
<p>The trip was a holiday for the mother and her nine-year-old son, and the flight a special treat for them both. </p>
<p>“Up in the air I took two selfie photos for me and Leon,” Winnie said of the minutes before tragedy struck, “the water scenery was very beautiful, and Leon said to me ‘Mum, take photos’.”</p>
<p>“We heard a bang,” she continued, going on to share her experience of the fatal crash, detailing the moment of collision. “When I saw the pilot’s side of the window, it’s broken. I could only see outside. </p>
<p>“I would see clouds. I would see water underneath … and then I thought, ‘this is not going to be a helicopter ride anymore’.</p>
<p>“The shaking was horrible. It was shaking both sides, and shaking continuously. It was just the end of life. And I had hope in the pilot, to me he’s my hero. I salute Ash, may he rest in peace.” </p>
<p>Ash, the helicopter’s pilot, managed to get the aircraft above a sandbar, a move Winnie credits with saving herself and her son, Leon. Ash, unfortunately, lost his life that day. </p>
<p>“I saw him struggle with trying to stabilise that helicopter,” Winnie recalled, “I didn’t see anyone else. I was looking at him.”</p>
<p>“I held Leon’s hand, and I asked him to close his eyes,” she added, “and I closed my eyes as well, and I said to God ‘let your will be done’. When I closed my eyes, it was peace that came to myself. I can’t remember anything else.” </p>
<p>Leon remains in hospital, where he is slowly improving. However, having been left with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/young-helicopter-crash-survivor-wakes-from-coma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">damage to his brain</a> from the crash, he requires 24 hour care. Leon has been receiving treatment at Queensland Children’s Hospital, while Winnie has been at The Gold Coast University Hospital, and the two have only been able to see each other once in six weeks. </p>
<p>Despite the tragedy, and the long and difficult road to recovery ahead of them, Winnie was open about her hope for the future, and expressed her gratitude for the miracle of their survival, telling Monique, “I am here, alive, and happy.</p>
<p>“I am so thankful. I am doing okay right now, despite walking. But psychologically, mentally, I feel like there’s hope.” </p>
<p><em>Images: Seven</em></p>
