“Mr Williams was asked to address specific questions relating to his knowledge of Sea World Helicopter personnel and the use of any illicit substances by Professional Helicopters Services pilots,” Harvey said.
“The potential for his evidence for the coronial issues is more than apparent.
“It may relate to … the use of illicit substances by pilots and the overall culture of Sea World Helicopters.”
The full nature of the witnesses’ evidence was not discussed in court on Monday.
Sea World Helicopters’ barrister Michael Trim on Monday made an application for Williams’ information to be excluded as evidence.
“This evidence has the potential for real personal and commercial harm to my clients … the seriousness of the assertions and potential damage to reputations and commercial interests ought to be considered,” he said.
The relevance of the witness was not apparent as his claims involved events outside of Queensland, Trim said.
“It contains numerous broad and unsupported allegations without any clear factual foundation.”
Sea World rejected Williams’ claims in the strongest terms, Trim said.
“I’m persuaded this evidence is relevant to the coronial issues I am examining in this investigation,” Lee said after taking a break to consider the application.
“The reasons submitted by the applicants are, respectfully, inadequate. Mr Williams’ evidence is included.”
The inquest’s hearings had been due to resume in early February, largely to hear testimony from Sea World Helicopters executives.
The coroner said there was no longer enough time to prepare for the new witness and adjourned the hearings to resume on July 13 and run for two weeks.
Jenkinson and his passengers – British newlyweds Ronald and Diane Hughes, aged 65 and 67, and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, 36 – died after their helicopter struck another during take-off and fell 40 metres onto a sandbar.
AAP
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