Diane and Ron died in the crash (Image: UGC)

A pilot implicated in a helicopter collision that resulted in the deaths of a couple was likely under the influence of cocaine withdrawal, suffering from an alcohol hangover and fatigue at the time, according to evidence presented to a coroner.

Diane, 57, and Ron Hughes, 65, hailing from Neston in the Wirral, tragically lost their lives when two helicopters collided mid-air on Australia's Gold Coast on 2 January 2023.

The pair, who had been wed for just 18 months, were visiting relatives in Australia when the incident occurred. The crash took place around 2pm local time, not far from Sea World in Queensland, as one helicopter was ascending and the other descending, reports the Liverpool Echo ..

One of the helicopters managed to execu

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