Ten-year-old Nicholas Tadros, who was seriously injured after the fatal Sea World helicopter crash, is undergoing multiple surgeries today.
Nicholas remains in Queensland Children’s Hospital in a critical but stable condition after a helicopter he was a passenger in collided with another in mid-air, killing four people, including his mother.
Although his condition remains very serious, it is unlikely to worsen and is an improvement from the critical condition he was in since the January 2 accident.
The fifth-grader is expected to undergo five surgeries over about six hours today, a family friend posted on Facebook.
The friend said it would be a “major test” for Nicholas.
“There have been some miracles with small victories to overcome these setbacks,” the friend wrote.
Vanessa Tadros died in the crash while her 10-year-old son Nicholas was seriously injured. (Supplied)
Nicholas was seriously injured in the crash, which claimed the lives of his mother Vanessa Tadros, 36, and three others.
Nicholas was transferred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital at the Gold Coast University Hospital last week.
Nicholas’ family are members of St Padre Pio Parish in Sydney’s Glenmore Park, where Nicholas serves as an alter boy.
Nicholas’ classmates, teachers, friends and family gathered for a mass dedicated to him at St Padre Pio Church in Sydney. (ABC News: Isobel Roe)
The parish hosted a mass for him and his mother last Saturday, and parishioners are continually asking people to pray for Nicholas’ recovery.
“We are praying for the success of the surgeries,” said Rector Suresh Kumar.
The funeral will be held for the pilot killed in a crash
Meanwhile, a funeral for pilot Ash Jenkinson, who died in the crash, is being held at Christ Church in Southport on Friday.
The 40-year-old man died when the helicopter he was piloting as part of Sea World Helicopters’ scenic tours collided with another helicopter.
British couple Diane and Ron Hughes were also killed.
A mother and son from Geelong in Victoria – Winnie De Silva and her son Leon De Silva – are both in a stable condition after being injured in the crash.