The distraught mother of one of the victims of the Gold Coast helicopter tragedy has collapsed and had to be tended to by mourners at her daughter’s funeral.
Rita Jaja was overcome with emotion as Vanessa Tadros, 36, was given a farewell by around 100 friends and family at St John The Beloved Church on Mt Druitt, Sydney.
Ms Tadros, 36, died in the horror crash on January 2 alongside three other victims including Ron and Diane Hughes, who were honeymooning from the UK when the joy flight turned disastrous.
Helicopter chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson also died in the crash.
Rita Jaja, mother of Vanessa Tadros, 36, was overcome with emotion at her daughter’s funeral
Vanessa Tadros, 36, was given a farewell by friends and family at St John The Beloved Church on Mt Druitt, Sydney on Monday
Vanessa Tadros, 36, (whose portrait was held by a young mourner) died in the horror accident on January 2 along with three other victims
Vanessa’s husband Simon revealed their son Nicholas, 10, is now off life support
Large bouquets of white flowers filled the interior of the church and adorned the white coffin that stood in the middle of the great service.
Ms Tadros’ husband Simon flew back from their son’s hospital bed in Queensland for the ceremony and was seen kissing his wife’s coffin before it was taken to the church.
Her son Nicholas, 10, survived the crash with serious injuries but is now on life support.
In a tearful tribute, Mr Tadros called his wife his “beautiful rose” and thanked everyone for coming to the Maronite ceremony.
Hew added: “To my beautiful wife, I will always love you no matter what.
“I know you will always be with me and Nicholas. rest in peace beautiful.”
The family was visiting the Gold Coast on vacation when the fatal crash happened.
Family and friends (pictured) gathered to commemorate the devoted mother
Mourners gathered at St John The Beloved Church on Mt Druitt, Sydney at 10.30am Monday to celebrate the service for Vanessa Tadros
Mourners lined up to say goodbye to the devoted mother
He underwent five surgeries for a six-hour operation on broken bones in both legs and his left hand, Mr Tadros revealed.
“Nicky has been off life support for a few days and his body has responded very well, he is still on a ventilator to support his breathing,” he said in a Facebook update.
“Sometimes they lowered his sedative medicine to see if he was responsive and he would wake up and be able to nod or shake his head in response to some questions.
“He is also able to hold my hand but no movement in his legs yet but has been told this could be due to the broken bones in both legs.
“Due to the pain, stress and anxiety, they had to re-sedate him for the time being.
‘He’s got some surgeries next week. One on Tuesday and major surgery on his right ankle on Friday so pray all goes well.’
Chief helicopter pilot Ashley Jenkinson and newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes, who were honeymooning from the UK, were also killed in the crash
Floral tributes have been left on the shoreline overlooking the site where four people died in the Sea World helicopter tragedy on Jan. 2
On Sunday, around 200 mourners formed a human chain near the crash site as part of a vigil for those affected by the deadly incident.
The ceremony took place in Broadwater Parklands, just meters from where four people died when their fun ride from Queensland’s popular theme park went horribly wrong.
Gold Coast resident Chantal Clarke organized Sunday’s vigil to pay respect to the victims and begin the healing process.
Participants were invited to join together in a ‘chain of support’ for those killed, survivors and their families.
On Sunday, around 200 mourners formed a human chain near the crash site as part of a vigil for those affected by the deadly incident
Well-wishers gathered to mourn the dead and hope for a full recovery for those injured in the tragedy
“Our city is known as the place of dreams, the place of vacations, not the place of death,” Ms Clarke told NCA NewsWire.
“I felt it was very important that people came together and acknowledged it and showed their support for each other and for families. Ms Clarke thanked everyone who had supported the community and victims following the crash, particularly the traditional owners of Kombumerri.
Kombumerri community leader Justine Dillon led Sunday’s vigil.
“We all felt it, we all got really sad when we felt such a tragedy in our country,” she told NCA NewsWire.
“We are very connected so we can feel the pain of the country and the people and the community. And we need the community to help us, so we’re here for them.”
Ms Dillon welcomed the participants into the country and invited them to take part in a smoking ceremony where they had their faces painted with ochre.
Lemongrass has been added to the small eucalyptus fire to heal the area from the injuries inflicted by the crash.
The group then made their way down to the shore, where people, including strangers, held hands and gazed across the water towards Sea World to pay their respects.