Latest news with #Jenkinson
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Can the city that failed at Just Eat bikes now go dockless?
Unlike the previous scheme, the new one will be 'dockless' - in which bikes can be located, hired and unlocked using a smartphone app and don't require a docking station - and it could be arriving very soon. An initial 'diluted version' of the Edinburgh scheme is hoped to roll out before the Edinburgh Festival, with, said a council officer, 100-200 dockless cycles across the city centre by August. If successful it could expand to between 600 and 800. The previous troubled project, introduced in 2018, lasted only three years and was beleaguered by problems, especially vandalism and theft, which made its self-financing model unsustainable for Serco, its provider. By Spring 2019, the initial 500-strong fleet of cycles, delivered by Serco and sponsored by Just Eat, had been reduced to about 300, with many bikes out of service for repair. In its second year, around one in four of the scheme's 550 bikes had to be repaired each week because of vandalism, wear and tear, and weather-related issues. Docking stations were also damaged. It is also not the only city to have tried and failed on a bike share scheme. Manchester, for instance, with much fanfare introduced its Mobikes in 2017, but within a year, the Chinese dockless bike firm withdrew from the city following their constant vandalism, and hundreds of bikes each month ending up at the bottom of the Manchester Ship Canal and other waterways. Since then the city has tried again, with a docked system, their Bee bikes. According to Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, transport convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, a keen advocate for the new scheme, since the city's initial bike experiment, the technology, including GPS, gyroscopes and software, 'has advanced significantly'. 'The companies,' he observed, 'know where all their bikes are. They know what state the battery is in. They know whether it's where it should be, whether it's not where it should be; whether it's upside down, lying on its side. It's the responsibility of them as a service provider to ensure that this is a success. The management and the maintenance of the service will be provided by that third party. And ultimately they don't want it to fail.' The new technology, he explained, also means the service 'can flex quite quickly' because they will have access to a level of data that the previous service did not have. "If," he said, "there are areas of the town where either we as a local authority, or they as a provider, are uncomfortable with then that can be discussed and managed. We can also control not only the locations of where the bikes can be picked up and dropped off, but the speed at which the bikes can be used – and we can control that in different parts of the town." Cllr Stephen Jenkinson tries out a Dott e-bike (Image: City of Edinburgh Council) The two-year trial scheme is set to be entirely electric (around a third of Just Eat bikes were electric and all used metal docking stations). Cllr Jenkinson explained the decision to go all electric: 'Edinburgh isn't known for being a particularly flat city. It's not the easiest city to get around under your own steam. With this, we're not looking to convert people who are already cycling to cycle more. What we're hoping to do is convince people who don't necessarily use cycling as their main mode of transport to consider it. "To allow that to happen you've got to make it as easy as possible. So it has got to be affordable and it has got to be relatively easier and it's certainly easier cycling on an e-bike up the mound than it would be out of the saddle.' READ MORE: Already, the City of Edinburgh Council has had a 'show and tell', in which two companies, Dott, Europe's largest shared e-mobility provider, and Californian company Lime, talked through their offering. Councillor Jenkinson described those sessions as 'well attended by both councillors across all parties and officers as well and those companies got a pretty hard time - I don't think they were expecting the level of scrutiny that they got' Ultimately, other companies will be considered through an open procurement process. Since there is no funding within the council's budget to deliver a cycle scheme for Edinburgh, what is being investigated is whether it's possible to deliver a scheme at no cost to the council, where the risk is absorbed by the providers. Dockless bike schemes do have their problems and they can be seen in the experiences of other cities in the UK. For instance, in London a significant proportion are still 'hacked' (essentially stolen/used for free). At one point the rate was believed to be 5% of trips, but Lime, last year, issued an official company statement saying: 'Antisocial behaviour is rare and hacked trips now account for 1% of total trips.' The schemes have also suffered from complaints about the way the bikes are dumped, left on pavements. Last year, for instance, 'around 100 complaints' had been made about a dockless bike trial in Haringey, delivered by both Lime and British provider Forest, mostly about dockless bikes being left strewn across pavements. Lime bikes strewn on a pavement in Kingsbury (Image: Bremt LB) Haringey "creative action" campaigner, Martin Ball, told me: 'The dockless bike scheme has created accessibility problems across Haringey, as it has London-wide. There are bottleneck areas where mass ending of journeys leaves a large number of bikes in one area. Often making them difficult for people to get through.' 'While this might be an inconvenience for many; for those with sight loss or a physical disability it is a significant barrier and a hazard. Narrow pavements have even less space. Large bulky bikes are often on the ground on their side and this is dangerous especially in poor lighting.' 'Another consequence of the Tottenham stadium being used for large events as well as football matches is that spectators travel and leave the bike wherever is convenient for them but a frequent nuisance for residents. One lone bike doesn't seem a problem, but discarded in the streets around the stadium, they often block pathways as on pavement parking is legal on many Tottenham roads.' A Dott bike carelessly dumped in Colchester (Image: Finley Greenleaf, Colchester Sixth Form College) There are also concerns about the road behaviour of riders, as well as safety, and recent articles described how orthopaedic surgeons were having to treat 'Lime bike leg', patients with legs broken after being pinned under the heavy bikes. But it's also worth acknowledging that for all the complaints, the experiment with dockless bikes in London is also seen as a success in the sense that it has resulted in more people cycling in London. A recent article in the Economist, titled 'London has become a cycling city', credited the scheme with being an important element in a significant uptick in cycling in the city, which according to a traffic survey, was up by 57%. 'What changed?' it said. 'Most riders still use personal bikes, which account for 60% of the increase since 2022 (helped by all those cycle lanes). But in the past two years, the use of rental-electric bikes has increased four-fold. So ubiquitous is a whizzy white-and-green variety that the fruit they are named after has become a verb: 'Shall we Lime?' On cycling news platform writer George Hill described them as 'brilliant'. He wrote: 'The other day I was at a friend's birthday party in Rotherhithe, and I was staying near Tower Bridge. That would have cost me £20 and 20 minutes in a taxi each way, and it would have taken me about 25 minutes by tube; but on a Lime bike, I could do it in 12 minutes and it cost me about three quid.' They have also been hugely popular with the young. Half of all Londoners between 18-34 use them every single week. Meanwhile, Glasgow's nextbike scheme, which uses a docking system, is now over a decade old, and in those years since the folding of Edinburgh's Just Eat bikes, has been quietly running with little drama - though it is not without its problems. Residents talk of the need for more docking bays, more bikes and in better repair. The chief executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, Paul Lawrence, said: 'I was in other cities over the last couple of weeks and some of the evidence I saw was really, really good and some of it you looked at it and went 'I'm not sure about that'. It's kind of the nature of the beast.' Reflecting on the previous scheme, he said, 'Were there Just Eat bikes in the Water of Leith? Yes, there were. Was it managed in the way we wanted it to be? Most of the time but not completely. The important thing on our side of the fence is to make sure to the operator that our criteria and our expectations are crystal clear, and that's what we will do and see how it goes this time around.' Council leader, Jane Meagher, said: 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If we're going to be serious about getting people out of their cars then we need to offer a whole range of options for folk, including for visitors of course. 'My thoughts are suck it and see. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.' Such a scheme, observed Jenkinson, is not about getting people who already cycle to cycle more 'it's about convincing people who don't actually cycle at all, or not very often, that it's a viable option'. People may, it is conceived, might use them for part of a journey rather than a whole journey, shifting between different modes of transport, bus, tram, bike. Jenkinson gave a personal example of how this might work. 'To get home quite often I'll get two buses. If I had the opportunity to use a bike to get from the City Chambers to Tollcross, would I do that? Quite possibly and I could get home quicker by using multiple forms of transport. That's a good use case.' Once approved, with no infrastructure to be installed other than painting on the pavements, it could take just weeks to get the bikes onto the streets. For the purpose of the trial, said Cllr Jenkinson, it will be focussed only on the city centre area of Edinburgh. 'But I'd like to think that if we have a really successful trial and the people of Edinburgh think that this is deemed a success, working with whoever provider we have, I can certainly see the coverage expanding across much of Edinburgh.' 'Maybe not everybody,' he added, 'is as bought into this as I am. I'm fortunate enough to travel around Europe and the world, and you can see how these schemes have developed over the years, and I suppose I'm fortunate that I don't bear the scars of the previous scheme because I wasn't elected to the local authority at that time. I look at this with a fresh pair of eyes, but also armed with the evidence of seeing how it can be successful.' With additional reporting by Donald Turvill.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
George Street revamp: How pedestrianisation plan could be scaled-back
The existing plans include widened and de-cluttered pavements, landscaped seating areas and a central, six-metre-wide cycleway. The council says the changes will create a 'greener, safer, accessible place for everyone to enjoy' in the heart of the city. However, there is growing scepticism over the affordability of the scheme and uncertainty over funding sources, while political support in the City Chambers is wavering. City of Edinburgh Council transport convener, Labour's Stephen Jenkinson, told The Herald he believed it remained a 'project worth backing' but stressed a balance had to be struck between 'doing something that's realistic and doing something that's worthy'. The plan involves widening pavements and building a cycle superhighway along the length of George Street (Image: City of Edinburgh Council) Councillors on the transport committee will consider a report with 'gold standard, silver standard and bronze standard' options at the end of June as they look to finalise the street's redesign, he said. But rising costs and the risk of further delays could lead elected members to abandon the project altogether. Cllr Jenkinson added: 'I want to try and get ourselves into a position where we have a kind of consensus with what we should do with George Street going forward. Ultimately I might not be able to get it. I think it'll be difficult to get the consensus because various parties have clearly articulated their positions on George Street and we'll have to see where we end up.' According to sources, the report will present three options: proceeding with the current plan - previously costed at £39m but now expected to rise; a reduced-scope alternative - estimated between £20m and £30m - that omits tree planting, includes Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM), and removes the existing setts in the central carriageway; and a 'do minimum' option, involving upgraded and widened footways along with previously-agreed operational changes, at an estimated cost of around £15m. All would include around £9m for diverting underground utilities. A fourth option is expected to propose only removing parking from the street. Read more from The Herald's Future of Edinburgh series: The last update to councillors, in September, revealed a funding shortfall of around £14m. It is anticipated that income from the city's new visitor levy could help bridge the gap, alongside further funding bids to the Scottish Government and the National Lottery's heritage fund. Officials have previously argued the scheme represents 'great value,' noting that approximately £30m would still need to be spent on resurfacing George Street's roads and pavements — even if the wider public realm revamp is scrapped. 'There's external funding that would have to come in at various points to help fund this project,' Cllr Jenkinson said, 'and when you're looking for external funding, predominantly Scottish Government money, you're up against other public realm projects across the country. 'So if you are actually going and asking for support for a project which isn't particularly inspiring it's going to be harder to secure any finance, never mind the finance you need, to deliver it. The plan would create more space for pedestrians on George Street (Image: Gordon Terris) 'I would like to think one of the most important streets in Scotland's capital city would be up there with any other public realm project in the country. What we actually want is somewhere for people to walk about, enjoy, sit and enjoy a beer or coffee or whatever. We have to design for the future, not the past.' The transport chief admitted the pace of delivery was 'too slow' and said he was 'focused on moving forward'. It's currently anticipated work could start in 2027 and take two years to complete. 'We're all fully aware the financial framework we're working in is tightening, it's not getting any easier to deliver anything,' he said. 'I'm a realist and I think it's important that you do what you can to ensure the projects you're looking to develop are the right ones and are delivered correctly for the right amount of money.' A recent council report setting out infrastructure projects to be prioritised proposed 'proceeding' with George Street's overhaul, noting it 'may be eligible for National Lottery Heritage funding'. 'How not to manage a project' Jo Mowat, Scottish Conservatives councillor for Edinburgh City Centre, said George Street had been an exercise in 'how not to manage a project'. The plan has 'shape-shifted according to where the funding is coming from,' she said, adding the council has been 'at the mercy of what the Scottish Government will fund through its arms-length [active travel] organisation Sustrans'. Cllr Mowat said as a result too much emphasis has been put on creating a 'cycle superhighway' and this 'comprised the design of the street'. Read more from our new investigation: '[George Street] is not really a particular transport link because of the squares at either end, so for it to become the main cycling connection would be awkward for cyclists who like to go in very straight lines,' she said. 'When you look at traditionally how the street has been used and what people want to do and think back from those first principles, this was designed as a place for people to promenade and gather. "You've got shopping but also institutions, the Assembly Rooms, churches, you've got these places where people gather, and obviously now you've got restaurants and bars. So this is a place for people to gather.' Asked if the project was now doomed, as some have suggested, she said: 'I think it's really difficult to ride back from it, but I don't see how we're going to pay for it. I would be really concerned you would start something you can't finish. 'I suspect it will be scaled back and it won't be quite what it is now — and that might not necessarily be a bad thing.' 'We're expecting it to be a cheaper version' How to most effectively execute the street's pedestrianisation with minimal disruption to businesses and residents in the city centre has been a long-running debate in the capital. 'I think about 20 years ago I was attending meetings about this,' said David Hunter, convener of Living Streets Edinburgh. 'One of the things I think is really unfortunate about George Street is there's been so many consultations and so many workshops, if nothing happens now it's very difficult to get people motivated to come and talk about the same topic they've talked about half a dozen or more times, often being told 'this time we're really going to do it'. So there's going to be diminishing engagement and trust.' Mr Hunter said it was an inescapable fact that 'money is going to be tight,' but added the plan for George Street suffered from the same problems as many major projects which are 'over-designed, over-engineered and too expensive'. He said: 'We can actually achieve quite a lot of improvements without spending 20, 30, 40 million pounds on schemes. 'Everyone is really a bit ashamed of George Street as it currently is in terms of how it could be. I think we're expecting, assuming some measure of pedestrianisation does go forward. I think we're expecting it to be a cheaper version. I think doing things quickly and cheaply has got a lot going for it.' Like Councillor Mowat, Mr Hunter believes the cycleway should be dropped from the street's redesign. 'If you make traffic volumes low enough you don't need a cycleway, it should be safe to cycle in,' he said. The council has ambitious plans for George Street - but rising costs could mean cutting back (Image: City of Edinburgh Council) 'Generally, rather than just saying you need a segregated cycleway everywhere, a more radical solution is to reduce traffic to the levels people can cycle safely on the road. 'I would rather see a 90, 95% pedestrianised George Street that is overwhelmingly a pedestrian space for people to walk and wheel, rather than a street with a kind of cycle superhighway going through it. 'We have to be pragmatic about this.' 'This is the flagship street of the New Town' If works eventually commence, the diverse array of businesses and organisations operating on George Street will be most affected by the street being dug-up block-by-block. Dr William Duncan, who represents their views as chair of the George Street Association, said they've 'consistently been supportive' but a 'cloud of uncertainty' has hung over the scheme for years now. His advice to the council is 'spend the money now and spend it wisely'. 'I think the project has to go ahead,' he said. 'And corners will only build up future costs. 'If cutting back means cutting back on what happens underneath the roads and pavements, it's just building up problems for the future. 'Otherwise you're just going to have constant piecemeal disruption to the road. Because the city council's control over how utilities do that is limited and that's to do with statutory powers. The risk is that within a few months of a completed project things are being dug up again, there isn't the reinstatement back to the quality materials. 'If you're going to have a period of disruption of at least two years, if not a bit longer, people will be prepared to put up with the pain involved in that if they can then see a period of stability, it's been done well. What would be very unfortunate is a situation where each block of the street is done piecemeal and then we'll have to wait for more funding.' 'This is the flagship street of the New Town; it's the street they named after the King, it's the centre of a World Heritage Site. It needs to convey the message that it's been done. Read more: 'I think everyone understands that having cars coming into the city centre is no longer the direction of travel. The question is at what pace can you make these changes? What's also quite important is that there isn't just a big void in the middle of George Street and that it's a place where people feel they want to come to, where people feel they can relax.' Under the operational plan for a transformed George Street agreed by councillors in 2023, essential vehicle access such as for deliveries, servicing and licensed taxis will be given access during morning and evening hours and controlled by automated bollards. Private hire vehicles will be restricted from accessing George Street at all times, while exemptions will be permitted for coaches, minibuses and other vehicles deemed necessary to support the needs of hotels and places of worship. Blue badge holders will still have access 24/7 and will still be able to park in disabled bays on the street. Dr Duncan said this represented a 'huge improvement to the operational plan from when it was first mooted'. 'It was basically going to get rid of all the traffic from George Street, only emergency and blue badge holders - very little access. 'It's also got to be recognised that a lot of the buildings here are old, they need care and maintenance. That means trades have got to get to them, and you can't just say 'there will be no traffic whatsoever in the street'. 'It's how you also create an ambience where occasional vehicles that have to get into the street, cyclists and pedestrians can all feel they've got safety. 'Change of use won't suit everyone but we have to create a street after all the turmoil of the work that's done that really works well, that everyone thinks looks good, but actually isn't just a historic piece, is something that is a vibrant part of the city centre. He said the Transient Visitor Levy (TVL), which it is expected could raise an additional £50m for the city by the end of the decade, is a 'welcome addition to the funding available' however pointed out this was 'not yet a stabilised form of income'. 'The levy is going to largely come from people in the city centre. They need to feel that somehow there is something they are contributing to. 'The council is now looking for a multiplicity of funders,' he added. 'A potential funder is to do with the heritage. I think they will have to do an optimisation situation where those people who fund it feel they are getting their bit out of it. I think it will be quite difficult to persuade people this is a heritage project if it doesn't maintain the quality of the heritage.' 'The council lost control' Although the transformation may narrowly secure sufficient political and business support to proceed, questions remain about its broader public appeal. Chair of the New Town and Broughton Community Council, Peter Williamson, said he didn't think the proposals 'have ever had a lot of support'. The council has proposed pressing on with the pedestrianisation project despite funding uncertainty (Image: Gordon Terris) He said: 'I think people have got slightly sucked into once the ball starts rolling, you've got to get on the pitch and start playing. But you may not like the rules. 'My impression being outside certain people within the council there wasn't a sort of great lot of cheering and foot stamping for this. 'The council seemed to lose control because people started putting in bids for trees, certain types of pavings, kerbs that could be used by people with sight impairment and so on. At that point I think it all began to feel a bit of a mess. 'But the big issue is where's the money going to come from? And we think the council has embarked on a whole lot of major projects and hasn't really got any access to funds to support them. But obviously getting rid of the parking etcetera would open it up. 'Our board position is the council is going for these grand schemes, but is then ignoring maintenance of pavements, streets. So great, you're doing George Street, but if you walked along Rose Street, it's a disgrace. 'The council should concentrate on getting what currently exists up to a reasonable standard.'
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Major detail in Sea World chopper crash probe
The widow of a Sea World Helicopters pilot, who was one of four killed in a horrific mid-air collision near the Gold Coast theme park, has appeared at a pre-inquest conference ahead of a coroner setting a tentative time frame to examine the tragedy. Kosha Richardson-Johnson is the widow of Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, whose death is partly the subject of high-profile coronial proceedings following the 2023 disaster. The tragedy unfolded when two Eurocopter EC130 helicopters departed from separate helipads for a joy flight over the Gold Coast strip just before 2pm on January 2, 2023. Both choppers collided mid-air above the Southport Broadwater – one attempting to land, the other taking off. Mr Jenkinson, Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros and British newlyweds Diane and Ronald Hughes all died in the crash. Sea World Helicopters pilot Ashley Jenkinson was killed in the horrific mid-air collision between two choppers above the Southport Broadwater on January 2, 2023. Supplied Credit: The Courier-Mail Kosha Richardson-Johnson, Mr Jenkinson's widow, attended a pre-inquest conference at Brisbane Coroners Court on Monday. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Tadros' son Nicky, Victorian mum Winnie De Silva and her son Leon were seriously injured, but survived. Pilot Michael James, who was in the other helicopter, managed to land his badly damaged aircraft on the sand. He and five of his passengers were also injured. Dates for the inquest have not been set but Coroner Carol Lee on Monday indicated an inquest could begin by November this year. Ms Jenkinson sat quietly in the back of the Coroners Court in Brisbane as Ian Harvey, counsel assisting the coroner, ran through the issues Ms Lee would need to consider during the proceedings. He said following the collision, an 'intense' rescue and recovery effort was undertaken after the crash. British newlyweds Diane and Ron Hughes were killed in the Sea World Helicopter crash. Supplied Credit: Supplied One helicopter was taking off and the other was landing when the collision occurred. NewsWire / Glenn Hampson Credit: News Corp Australia The court was told the circumstances surrounding the collision have been the subject of heavy scrutiny investigation by the nation's transport safety watchdog and Queensland Police. Mr Harvey said there were a number of areas – including how the collision occurred and whether poor safety management systems were to blame – which overlapped with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's investigation. 'However the ATSB is restrained legislatively from disclosing specific details of their investigation,' he said. Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros also died in the crash while her son Nicky was seriously injured. Supplied Credit: Supplied 'A substantive issue concerns the way the air operator, Sea World Helicopters, was conducting its passenger air operations business on and before January 2, 2023. 'The focus here is the level, nature and efficacy of safety management systems in place concerning the conduct of those operations.' Sea World Helicopters staff and operators are expected to be called to give evidence in regards to this. Mr Harvey said the coronial process would allow further understanding if Sea World Helicopters undertook 'appropriate' safety assessments. Both helicopters involved in the crash had only been recently cleared for use by Sea World Helicopters, he said. The court was told each helicopter had a different steering side – and the inquest would need to examine what kind of training the pilots received in order to fly these aircraft. Mr Harvey said the ATSB found there were issues with transmissions on the day of the tragedy due to defects with the equipment on board the helicopters, including radios. Sea World heli crash victims 'This goes back to the issue of the certificate of airworthiness … one can assume someone has closely looked at all aspect of airworthiness of that aircraft, including the radio transmission systems ,' he said. 'It's noted from the report Sea World Helicopters has introduced a position of pad boss into their operations, and the results of that initiative can be explored further. 'Another … is whether the passengers on board were provided with adequate passenger safety briefings and fitted with seatbelts.' The court was told illicit drug use would also be an issue at the inquest – with Mr Harvey noting the ATSB found it was 'likely' Mr Jenkinson had consumed the drug cocaine days before the crash. But the ATSB concluded on the basis of toxicology reports that it was 'unlikely' Mr Jenkinson would have been directly affected by the drug on the day of the crash. 'This issue must be considered in the context of all evidence which will be placed before the court,' Mr Harvey said. An ATSB report on the crash found numerous safety gaps were present and not addressed when the collision took place. Picture NewsWire / David Clark Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Lee gave parties a month to respond in writing to concerns around witness lists and proposed inquest dates, noting dates were available between November 24 to December 19. 'I would prefer to at least start – if we can't finish, at least start proceedings before the end of the year,' Ms Lee said as Mr Harvey noted December approached the court's closure over Christmas. The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed. The ATSB's final report into the crash, released last month, detailed numerous safety gaps were present and not addressed by Sea World Helicopters before the disaster took place. In its report, the ATSB said the system in place intended to warn pilots of the presence of another helicopter was 'flawed' – leading to both pilots not having an accurate understanding of where the other was. A 'conflict point' was created due to the helipads being in such proximity, the report states. 'Limitations in visibility from both helicopters and especially VH-XKQ (the departing chopper), combined with competing priorities and an understanding that the airspace was clear, led to a midair collision as both helicopters were passing through the conflict point created by the positioning of the helipads,' the report said. The ATSB found operator procedures for scenic flights were not 'wholly specific' to their operation – introducing variability in pilot decision-making and the conduct of scenic flights, which created additional confusion. 'The operator's system of radio calls, hand signals and conspicuity devices, intended to warn pilots of the presence of another helicopter, was flawed,' the report continues. 'As a result, both pilots formed an incorrect understanding about the location of the other helicopter.'
West Australian
26-05-2025
- West Australian
Widow of Sea World pilot Ashley Jenkinson appears at pre-inquest conference into mid-air collision as time frame for inquest set
The widow of a Sea World Helicopters pilot, who was one of four killed in a horrific mid-air collision near the Gold Coast theme park, has appeared at a pre-inquest conference ahead of a coroner setting a tentative time frame to examine the tragedy. Kosha Richardson-Johnson is the widow of Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, whose death is partly the subject of high-profile coronial proceedings following the 2023 disaster. The tragedy unfolded when two Eurocopter EC130 helicopters departed from separate helipads for a joy flight over the Gold Coast strip just before 2pm on January 2, 2023. Both choppers collided mid-air above the Southport Broadwater – one attempting to land, the other taking off. Mr Jenkinson, Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros and British newlyweds Diane and Ronald Hughes all died in the crash. Ms Tadros' son Nicky, Victorian mum Winnie De Silva and her son Leon were seriously injured, but survived. Pilot Michael James, who was in the other helicopter, managed to land his badly damaged aircraft on the sand. He and five of his passengers were also injured. Dates for the inquest have not been set but Coroner Carol Lee on Monday indicated an inquest could begin by November this year. Ms Jenkinson sat quietly in the back of the Coroners Court in Brisbane as Ian Harvey, counsel assisting the coroner, ran through the issues Ms Lee would need to consider during the proceedings. He said following the collision, an 'intense' rescue and recovery effort was undertaken after the crash. The court was told the circumstances surrounding the collision have been the subject of heavy scrutiny investigation by the nation's transport safety watchdog and Queensland Police. Mr Harvey said there were a number of areas – including how the collision occurred and whether poor safety management systems were to blame – which overlapped with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's investigation. 'However the ATSB is restrained legislatively from disclosing specific details of their investigation,' he said. 'A substantive issue concerns the way the air operator, Sea World Helicopters, was conducting its passenger air operations business on and before January 2, 2023. 'The focus here is the level, nature and efficacy of safety management systems in place concerning the conduct of those operations.' Sea World Helicopters staff and operators are expected to be called to give evidence in regards to this. Mr Harvey said the coronial process would allow further understanding if Sea World Helicopters undertook 'appropriate' safety assessments. Both helicopters involved in the crash had only been recently cleared for use by Sea World Helicopters, he said. The court was told each helicopter had a different steering side – and the inquest would need to examine what kind of training the pilots received in order to fly these aircraft. Mr Harvey said the ATSB found there were issues with transmissions on the day of the tragedy due to defects with the equipment on board the helicopters, including radios. Sea World heli crash victims 'This goes back to the issue of the certificate of airworthiness … one can assume someone has closely looked at all aspect of airworthiness of that aircraft, including the radio transmission systems ,' he said. 'It's noted from the report Sea World Helicopters has introduced a position of pad boss into their operations, and the results of that initiative can be explored further. 'Another … is whether the passengers on board were provided with adequate passenger safety briefings and fitted with seatbelts.' The court was told illicit drug use would also be an issue at the inquest – with Mr Harvey noting the ATSB found it was 'likely' Mr Jenkinson had consumed the drug cocaine days before the crash. But the ATSB concluded on the basis of toxicology reports that it was 'unlikely' Mr Jenkinson would have been directly affected by the drug on the day of the crash. 'This issue must be considered in the context of all evidence which will be placed before the court,' Mr Harvey said. Ms Lee gave parties a month to respond in writing to concerns around witness lists and proposed inquest dates, noting dates were available between November 24 to December 19. 'I would prefer to at least start – if we can't finish, at least start proceedings before the end of the year,' Ms Lee said as Mr Harvey noted December approached the court's closure over Christmas. The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed. The ATSB's final report into the crash, released last month, detailed numerous safety gaps were present and not addressed by Sea World Helicopters before the disaster took place. In its report, the ATSB said the system in place intended to warn pilots of the presence of another helicopter was 'flawed' – leading to both pilots not having an accurate understanding of where the other was. A 'conflict point' was created due to the helipads being in such proximity, the report states. 'Limitations in visibility from both helicopters and especially VH-XKQ (the departing chopper), combined with competing priorities and an understanding that the airspace was clear, led to a midair collision as both helicopters were passing through the conflict point created by the positioning of the helipads,' the report said. The ATSB found operator procedures for scenic flights were not 'wholly specific' to their operation – introducing variability in pilot decision-making and the conduct of scenic flights, which created additional confusion. 'The operator's system of radio calls, hand signals and conspicuity devices, intended to warn pilots of the presence of another helicopter, was flawed,' the report continues. 'As a result, both pilots formed an incorrect understanding about the location of the other helicopter.'
IOL News
20-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Retired social worker travels to listen — and remind strangers they're not alone
Paul Jenkinson, left, talks with Steve Skafte at a park in Nova Scotia. Image: Supplied PAUL Jenkinson isn't a therapist. He doesn't write in a notebook, charge by the hour or offer solutions. Instead, he sits in parks, coffee shops and community centers, with a sign that says: 'You are not alone. I will listen.' Jenkinson, 70, is a retired social worker from Nova Scotia, and he is on what he calls a 'listening tour' across Canada. 'I'm creating a safe space, inviting people in and then listening carefully to what they're saying,' Jenkinson said. 'It's total, unconditional acceptance. No judging. No shaming.'Jenkinson retired in 2017 and was looking for ways to engage with others - and possibly help them. 'I thought I would really like to do something that is positive, that is inviting, that allows me to travel the country … to use my skills that I have for the benefit of the community,' Jenkinson said. 'I have professional knowledge, but I also have lived experience; I have sorrow and grief and tragedy and those kinds of things that are just part of the life journey.' Jenkinson set out on his tour on May 1, and he intends to make it to British Columbia by winter. He is traveling from east to west in his Subaru Forester. 'I'm not going anywhere in a hurry,' said Jenkinson. The same is true for his conversations with strangers. Jenkinson said there is no time limit on how long he will listen; people can stop and chat with him for as long or as little as they like. 'I am available to listen,' he said. 'But only if you want me to.' Jenkinson sets up his listening station in public spaces and stays there for several hours a day. Most often, passersby give him a smile or waive when they see the sign, then carry on without approaching. Others, though, will stop to talk. So far, Jenkinson said, he has had conversations with about 45 people on a range of topics - including tragedies and triumphs. 'I hear it all,' Jenkinson said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He's spoken with parents who feel alienated from their adult children, people struggling with addiction, people falling in love, people contemplating their future and people grieving. A few days ago, a man approached him with his young daughter. The man's wife had died on Mother's Day. 'I have a child who died on Mother's Day,' said Jenkinson, explaining that his adult daughter died in 2007. 'You can imagine the gut-wrenching realization that we're sitting in the same space.' While many of the people he talks to are struggling in some way, others use their conversation as an opportunity to celebrate something in their lives. 'Somebody might sit down and just tell me the most wonderful thing that happened recently,' Jenkinson said. 'Life is not all sorrow and challenges. It's actually pretty beautiful some of the time.' On average, people will sit with Jenkinson for about 30 minutes, he said. Jenkinson will not counsel them or give clinical advice - he will just listen. People of all ages have stopped by. People tell Jenkinson they find sharing their problems with him to be cathartic, he said. They usually come to a conclusion or solution on their own. 'My general understanding over all the years of work is that the person actually has a pretty good idea of what would help them move forward,' Jenkinson said. 'They're the experts in their own situation.' 'This is a skill, to assist people in ways that they might move forward that they would be comfortable with, without giving advice,' he added. 'I'm helping them acknowledge what they're capable of.' Jenkinson said he believes everyone should have a therapist - and what he is doing is not therapy. He likened himself to a stranger on an airplane 'who you're never going to see again.' This gives people the freedom to share whatever is on their mind. Nothing is off limits. I let people know you can share anything, and it will sit with me,' Jenkinson said. Jenkinson recognizes that what he is doing is unconventional. Sometimes, people who see the sign seem wary. 'Initially, they wonder: 'Who is this? Is this a religious thing? Is this a trolling of some sort?'' Jenkinson said. But before long, he said, most people warm to the idea. 'Everybody is generally comfortable at some point,' he said. 'I think most people find it somewhat encouraging.' During his travels, Jenkinson will stay with family, friends and strangers who hear about what he's doing and invite him to visit their town. He has already gotten requests to visit Alberta and Quebec. Jenkinson is raising funds through Patreon and GoFundMe, which will go toward gas, auto repairs and maintenance, food and lodging when he is between people's homes, as well as buying 'coffee and grocery cards to brighten the day of someone who appears to need some encouragement,' he said. For the most part, though, Jenkinson said he is using his savings to carry out his listening tour. As he's getting older, 'this could be my last grand adventure,' he said. 'Might as well go big or go home.' Jenkinson believes many have 'lost this gift of listening,' and he hopes to show people how powerful it can be to simply sit and listen to someone's story. 'They'll often leave saying, 'I feel a lot lighter' or 'This was good; I'm glad I sat down,'' Jenkinson said. 'People appear to be benefiting and I'm benefiting, too,' he said. 'I am so blessed to meet all these wonderful, sweet, smart, seasoned people.'
