A Sea World Helicopters staff member has told a coroner the chief pilot involved in a deadly collision had gone “above and beyond” at work in the months before it, and took safety seriously.
On Monday, pilot Ashley Jenkinson’s executive assistant Thalia Ellem gave evidence at a coronial inquiry which is examining the 2023 tragedy.
Mr Jenkinson, UK tourists Ronald and Diane Hughes and New South Wales tourist Vanessa Tadros were killed when two Sea World Helicopters crashed near the Gold Coast theme park.
Two helicopters seen following a collision near Sea World in January. (AAP: Dave Hunt )
Ms Ellem broke down when she was asked to describe Mr Jenkinson on Monday.
She told the court he was “one of the best managers” she had ever had.
“He was a really nice guy, really friendly – he checked on everyone,” she said.
“Always constantly making sure the staff had what they needed.”
Ms Ellem told the court Mr Jenkinson always went “above and beyond to get everything done” and was clear in his messaging about safety.
“Every day Ash would be talking about safety,” she said.
Thalia Ellem told the court safety was a high priority for manager Ashley Jenkinson. (ABC News)
The court heard Mr Jenksinon and fellow pilot Michael James, who was also in the crash, would have regular safety meetings with management.
In the months before the collision, the court heard the company also implemented a daily fatigue management questionnaire.
Ms Ellem told the court that before staff began their shifts, they had to complete the document and confirm they were feeling well and fit to work.
If they answered no to any question, she said they would have to speak to herself or Mr Jenkinson, and they would decide on the course of action on a case-by-case basis.
Chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson died when the helicopters collided on the Gold Coast in 2023. (Facebook: Sea World Helicopters)
“Some people are sent home, others could remain in the job but were limited with what they could do, or some we’d continue to monitor throughout the day,” she said.
Several examples of this were detailed to the court, including an instance where a part-time pilot was sent home after describing having flu-like symptoms.
Another instance included when Mr James was monitored throughout the day as he had reported not getting enough sleep the night before.
Four people were killed in the Gold Coast helicopter crash. (AAP: Dave Hunt)
Mr Jenkinson also stood himself down from flying and carried out office duties on one occasion, after answering no to feeling “well and rested”.
Ms Ellem told the court on the day of the crash she had lunch with Mr Jenkinson, where they discussed a customer booking, and he seemed “a bit distracted”.
“I wasn’t getting much back from him,” she said.
Ms Ellem told the court she did not think he appeared tired.
Earlier in the inquest, another staff member who also had lunch with Mr Jenkinson said, “there was nothing out of the ordinary” about it.
In addition to Ms Ellem, executives at Sea World Helicopters were also due to give evidence, but they will now be called later in the inquest.
Attempt to have inquest adjourned
What we know about Gold Coast helicopter collision
Lawyers for the company unsuccessfully applied to have the inquest partially adjourned to next year, arguing it would be procedurally unfair not to be given time to review significant amounts of material submitted.
In refusing the application, Coroner Carol Lee told the court the company had “been on notice” since April this year.
“I’m not persuaded the lion’s share of this information has taken Sea World Helicopters by surprise,” she said.
She did allow for the two executives and several other witnesses to be moved into next week.
The inquest continues on Tuesday.
