Outpouring of sympathy for Neston couple who lost their lives in Gold Coast helicopter crash

Two of the four people who died following the tragic mid-air collision between two helicopters on Australia's Gold Coast were from Neston.

Diane Hughes and her husband Ron were married just last year and on holiday.

Their pilot and another passenger were also killed in Monday's crash, which occurred when one helicopter was taking off from a sandbar and the other was coming into land.

Three other people, two of them children, were badly injured and are in hospital.

All those killed and critically injured were in the ascending helicopter, which crashed within seconds after its main rotor blade struck the cockpit of the other aircraft, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said.

The second helicopter landed upright on the sandbank. Five of the six people on board suffered minor injuries.

On Facebook, Mrs Hughes' brother Dave Boyce wrote: "Can I please ask my friends to refrain from speaking to the media, they have been contacting people off Facebook. 

"The family will make a statement when we are ready. 

"For those who don't know, my sister and her husband were involved in the helicopter crash on the Gold Coast yesterday. 

"We would also like to thank you all for the love and support we have received.

"We are truly humbled at this heartbreaking time."

The post attracted hundreds more messages of sympathy and support.