Boy emerges from coma, mother buried 2 weeks after helicopter crash in Australia kills 4

A 10-year-old Australian boy who was seriously injured two weeks ago when two helicopters collided, four people diedwoke up from a coma in the hospital and was holding his father’s hand, the family priest said.

Nicholas Tadros remained at Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, where medical staff described his condition as “critical but stable” on Monday.

His mother, Vanessa Tadros, 36, was killed when two Sea World theme park helicopters collided during a joyride on January 2 in the tourist town of Gold Coast, 50 miles south of Brisbane.

She was laid to rest on Monday after a funeral near the family home in western Sydney. In accordance with Guardianher husband Simon delivered an emotional eulogy.

“Vanessa was a special person. Her smile was contagious … she had a pure heart … every day we became stronger together. She was our protector,” he said, according to the publication.

One of the priests who conducted the funeral, Father Suresh Kumar, posted on social networks on Monday that the son “has been off life support for several days and his body has responded very well.”

“At times they would lower his sedative to see if he was responsive, if he was awake and (could) answer some questions by nodding or shaking his head,” Kumar wrote.

“He can also hold his dad’s hand,” Kumar added, referring to Nicholas Simon Tadros’ father, who was cited as a source in the statement.

Nicholas remained on a ventilator to keep him breathing and was scheduled for more surgeries, the priest said.

“Thank you to everyone who has shown support, love and continued prayers for Nicky, God hears our prayers,” Kumar wrote. “Please continue to pray for Nicholas, he has a long hard road ahead of him.”

Along with Nicholas’ mother, British couple Ron and Diane Hughes and pilot Ashley Jenkinson also died in the collision, which is being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

A 33-year-old mother and her 9-year-old son remain in the hospital. The condition of both is assessed as stable.

A video of the crash shows the helicopter being clipped by another helicopter flying over the water shortly after takeoff.

Sea World Helicopters, a separate company from the theme park, expressed its condolences and said it was cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.

“We and the entire aviation community are devastated by what happened and offer our sincere condolences to all involved, especially the loved ones and family of the deceased,” the statement said.