Broome helicopter crash: Falcon Primary School teacher’s aide Maddison Down fighting for life in Royal Perth Hospital

“Let peace dwell here. Take care of each other, work together and celebrate.” So goes the stirring motto of Falcon Primary School, a cheerful institution that sits just metres from pristine Avalon Bay just south of Mandurah. They are words that will become painfully poignant for this tight-knit little school in the coming weeks as children, parents and staff reel from the shocking loss of some of their own on the eve of mid-year holidays. Tourism champion and pilot Troy Thomas who was killed in the horrific crash in Broome on Saturday afternoon, was also a well-known Falcon Primary School dad. His daughter Mia is a student there and remains in a serious but stable condition in Perth Children’s Hospital. Mia’s friend, another 12-year-old Falcon student whom The West has chosen not to name, was also killed in the crash that’s left two coastal towns utterly shaken. Popular teacher’s aide Maddison Down was also aboard and remains in hospital fighting for her life in the intensive care unit of Royal Perth Hospital. In a video posted to the school’s Facebook page in April, a smiling Maddy sends a reassuring message to the kindergarten students stuck at home due to coronavirus. “We miss you and can’t wait to see you soon,” she tells them with a wave. As experts converge on Broome to work out exactly what happened to cause the chopper to crash soon after taking off, others are left to wonder how such an awful tragedy could occur. The helicopter was being piloted by Mr Thomas, the award-winning founder of Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, when it crashed about 2.30pm on Saturday. The 40-year-old Bouvard resident and the 12-year-old girl, who was friends with Mr Thomas’ daughter, both died in the crash. The Robinson R44 helicopter came down at Antheous Way, Bilingurr, north of Broome. Mr Thomas had recently sold the WA Tourism Award-winning business, but continued to work there as a manager. Visit Mandurah general manager Anita Kane said the WA tourism industry had been “rocked by the tragic death of Mandurah local Troy Thomas”. “Although he did not operate a tourism business in Mandurah he was a proud advocate for the area,” Ms Kane said. “His loss will be felt not only in Mandurah but the entire WA tourism community where he had made such a massive impact as a tourism business owner and innovator. Our heartfelt condolences to the entire Thomas family.” Rockingham Wildlife Encounters managing director Chad D’Souza said Mr Thomas was a good ally in the tourism industry in bringing the rest of the world into WA. “He was a good advocate for the tourism industry. A lot of new businesses look to those with experience. A lot of people looked up to his personality and what he gave back to the tourism industry. “He was very inspiring for a lot of people. He was just a great bloke, somebody you could talk to about business or go out for a drink with. Someone who had a smile everyday, living life to the fullest. He was renowned for being a bit of an adventurer.” As the Mandurah community grapples with the devastating loss of life, mayor Rhys Williams offered his condolences. “My heart breaks for the families of Troy Thomas and the young girl tragically killed over the weekend. I know there are many people in Mandurah who were friends of both and who are right now grieving their sudden loss,” Mr Williams said. “Please find comfort in one another and know that you are in our thoughts.” In 2018, on the back of three gold and two Hall of Fame awards at the WA Tourism Awards, Mr Thomas had expressed a desire to bring his seaplane venture to the Peel region. However, bureaucracy had held back this dream, with the landing of aircraft in the Peel Inlet banned by the Waterways Conservation Regulations 1981. Mr Thomas was something of a celebrity pilot, adored equally for his charming, warm personality and passion for the tourism industry, which is still reeling from the coronavirus crisis. But if the crash came at a difficult time for the tourism industry it also came at a tough time for the Falcon Primary School community, which is unable to grieve together after breaking up for holidays last week.

Broome helicopter crash: Falcon Primary School teacher’s aide Maddison Down fighting for life in Royal Perth Hospital

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