A man has described the moment he watched the helicopter carrying his wife and step-son plummet to the ground on the Gold Coast.

Winnie de Silva and her nine-year-old son Leon were among three people critically injured from the collision of two helicopters near Sea World.

Four people, including Sea World chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, died in the crash.

Speaking with Peter Fegan on 4BC Summer Mornings, Neil de Silva described the horrifying moment it all unfolded.

“They were just getting closer and closer and originally I was hoping it would just be an optical illusion or something because they looked like they were on a collision path,” he said.

“The first thing I saw of the accident is the back two-thirds of the tail of Winnie’s helicopter just got cut off by the other one in that impact.”

“I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe what was about to happen and then when it happened, it’s just… I can’t explain to you the feeling.”

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The de Silva family has started a GoFundMe to help Neil stay in Queensland while Winnie and Leon undergo medical treatment.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said it’s unbelievable the second aircraft was able to land.

“It was extraordinary, I think almost miraculous, remarkable,” she told Peter.

“The front of it is missing and when you get a closer look, the damage underneath as well is quite extraordinary, so well done to him.

“We are just so, so fortunate that we are not investigating further deaths.”

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Image: Today, GoFundMe