A Queensland pilot, a British couple and a NSW woman have been identified as the four killed when two helicopters collided midair on the Gold Coast.

The victims are reported to be British-born pilot Ashley Jenkinson, 40, Liverpool residents Ron and Diane Hughes, 65 and 57 and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, 36.

All four were killed when their helicopter plunged into the sandbank after hitting another chopper near the Sea World theme park on Monday afternoon.

Ms Tadros’s 10-year-old son Nicholas and Geelong mother Winnie De Silva are both in critical condition in hospital.

Ms De Silva’s son Leon, nine, was also on board and treated for serious injuries.

The second helicopter’s windscreen shattered, but the 52-year-old pilot landed the aircraft on the sand bar, with five of the six people aboard escaping with glass shrapnel wounds.

The passengers from the second chopper included a 27-year-old Western Australian woman and two New Zealand couples travelling together – a 44-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, and a man and woman aged 48 and 45.

Mr Jenkinson, a new father who had instructed numerous novice pilots, has been remembered as a “great mate” and “an absolute legend”. He celebrated his son’s first birthday in September.

Andy Taylor recalled the bond forged when he and Mr Jenkinson helped victims of flooding in northern NSW in 2022.

“Today we lost one of the biggest legends, Ash Jenkinson, you were a gentleman!!” he said.

Colleague Penny Wilson said Mr Jenkinson had “such golden of heart, cheeky sense of humour and always such a laugh to be around”.

“An amazing pilot. Always so kind, helpful, and supportive. A true gentleman, and always willing to lend a hand,” another former colleague, Lucy Kuhn, said.

Pilot Ashley Jenkinson died in the crash. He is so far the only one of the victims to be named. Photo: Facebook

Two British citizens were also among the four people killed in the helicopter Mr Jenkinson had been piloting.

“We are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities,” a UK foreign office spokesperson said.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau  investigators are probing the crash and have salvaged both helicopters from the sand bar.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said it appeared that the main rotor of Mr Jenkinson’s aircraft, which was taking off, hit the second helicopter’s cockpit as it came in to land.

“Now, exactly whether that was the very first point of impact – we’re yet to determine,” he said  on Tuesday.

“But that in itself has led to the main rotor in the gearbox separating from the main [Mr Jenkinson’s] helicopter, which then had no lift and has fallen heavily to the ground.”

Mr Mitchell said it was “remarkable” the second pilot had managed to land in the circumstances and the situation could have been far worse otherwise.

“The presence of mind to be able to land that helicopter, particularly considering the damage that we know has occurred on that front left-hand seat of the helicopter, it does appear to have been a remarkable job to have got it down,” he said.

The horrifying crash was witnessed by hundreds of people. Police described the accident scene as “very, very confronting”, and praised those who responded in the minutes afterwards, including the public.

“Right at the very beginning when the incident first occurred, we had private vessels taking people across to the island to offer support to the victims,” Gold Coast District Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said.

“They did their very best with CPR until the emergency services got there. Unfortunately, though, we did have those four that were deceased but three were worked on significantly at the scene, until they were transported later in the ambulance.”

Among those who provided emergency aid were reportedly the pilot of the second chopper. He was also among the injured transported to hospital, where he remained on Tuesday.

Both helicopters have since been removed from the sandbank. Crucial evidence relating to the investigation was recovered as the tide rose late on Monday.

A preliminary report into the tragedy is expected within eight weeks.

“We and the entire flying community are devastated by what has happened and our sincere condolences go to all those involved and especially the loved ones and family of the deceased,” a spokesperson for Sea World Helicopters said.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks offered its condolences to people impacted by the crash, with dozens of guests at Sea World witnessing it.

“While Sea World Helicopters is an independent professional operator, VRTP is working with emergency services and the authorities to provide every possible assistance,” the company said in a statement.

“We are providing support to our team members who have been emotionally affected by the tragedy.”

Tweet from @StevenJMiles

Acting Premier Steve Miles said the state was grieving another tragedy.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, as well as those who are currently receiving treatment for the injuries,” he said.

“Queensland has seen so much tragedy lately – there are people who have been directly impacted who are experiencing so much pain, and members of the public who witnessed the incident yesterday will also be affected.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia was shocked by the tragic incident on the Gold Coast.

“My thoughts are with all those affected, including first responders, and my deepest sympathies are with those who are grieving,” he tweeted.

The Gold Coast council has set up an area for people to leave flowers for victims.

-with AAP