A nine-year-old boy who was involved in a tragic helicopter crash has come off life support and woken from his coma.
On Monday, 2 January, two helicopters crashed into one another mid-air on Australia's Gold Coast.
Four people passed away as a result of the incident and three others were critically injured.
One of the two children injured in the Sea World tourist flight incident is nine-year-old Leon de Silva. The third person injured is Leon's mother.
Advert
The nine-year-old was rushed to hospital and placed into an induced coma because of his head injuries, however, his stepfather has since updated he's been taken off life support and is in a stable condition.
Leon's stepfather, Neil, told Sunrise on Thursday, 5 January, as quoted by Sky News: "The main issue is the extensive injuries that he has. He’s lying in bed at the moment. He is still laying with his eyes closed and not able to talk or communicate at this stage."
However, the stepfather noted the nine-year-old was able to give a 'thumbs up' when told his mum was nearby and 'going to look after you and everything's going to be alright'.
Advert
"It wasn't a full thumbs up, he could only lift it halfway but that was fantastic news," Neil added.
Leon was on the short helicopter ride with his mother Winnie de Silva.
The ride lasts around five minutes and is reported as costing around $75 per person.
Advert
Winnie recalled the moment she knew something was wrong to the Herald Sun: "I heard a huge bang and the only thing I could feel was the shaking of the helicopter.
"I could see the pilot pressing all these buttons, stressed out - he didn't know what to do.
"[...] We didn't know what to do... it all happened in a second. The only thing I could see was death in my eyes. I didn't want to see death in my eyes so I closed them and held my son's hand."
Winnie suffered from two broken legs, a damaged knee, a broken right shoulder and her collarbone was also shattered as a result of the helicopter crash.
Advert
A Queensland Health spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia Leon's recovery is 'a bloody miracle'.
A GoFundMe page has since been set up by Neil to help pay for Winnie and Leon's medical bills.
The page reads: "Hi, my name is Neil. My wife and step-son were injured in the helicopter crash at Seaworld yesterday while we were on a quick holiday from Geelong. Thankfully they are both alive but have a lot of surgery ahead of them which means the family will need to stay here on the Gold Coast and I won't be able to return to work. I'm hoping you can help us out with a small donation to keep us on our feet while Winnie and Leon recover. Any help would be greatly appreciated."
A Sea World Helicopters - a separate company from the theme park - spokesperson told Sky News: "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.
Advert
"We are cooperating with all the authorities including the ATSB and the Queensland police. As it is now a police investigation we cannot provide any further information at this stage."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Topics: Australia
Poppy Bilderbeck