He also owns condominiums in Las Vegas, the Bahamas and Washington D.C.

Elle Macpherson's ex-boyfriend Jeffrey Soffer has emerged for the first time since walking away alive from an horrific helicopter crash in the Bahamas that left one dead.

The hotel heir and Florida businessman was pictured in Miami on Thursday, a week after the Thanksgiving accident that killed his friend Lance Valdez.

The 43-year-old suffered several injuries, including fractured vertebrae, and was wearing a back brace and sling on his left arm. 

Survivor: Elle Macpherson's ex Jeffrey Soffer emerged in Miami on Thursday following a horror helicopter accident on Thanksgiving

His smile hinted at the the sheer relief he must be feeling following his terrifying brush with death. 

Injured: The billionaire was wearing a back brace and had his left arm in a sling

Sources say Ms Macpherson is jetting off to Miami to comfort her former flame.

An insider told the New York Post newspaper: 'Jeff is very shaken up and mourning the loss of his friend. Elle is landing in Miami imminently to visit him and offer her support at a very tough time.'

The leggy blonde dated the 43-year-old Florida businessman for over years, only splitting in March, but Elle has since moved on to wealthy financier Roger Jenkins.

The 49-year-old beauty was also a close friend of Valdez's and is thought to be attending his funereal in the Bahamas this weekend. She tweeted after the accident: 'Miss you Lance.'

Five people were on board when the aircraft plunged to the ground at the up-scale Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club on Great Guana Cay in the Abacos Island chain on Thursday, killing the co-pilot and causing the pilot major injuries.

Mr Soffer is believed to have been among three passengers flung from the helicopter as its rotor blades hit the ground during a landing attempt near Baker's Bay townhomes.

Mr Soffer was flown back to South Florida and taken to the University of Miami Hospital, where he was evaluated and later released. The other passengers were also flown back to the U.S. by airplane.

After Mr Soffer and Ms Macpherson split, the businessman reportedly turned his attentions to a mystery Colombian girl almost 20 years his junior but it is unknown whether the passenger was this woman.

Still close Elle, pictured with the hotel heir in 2009, is said to be heading to Miami to comfort him

The passengers were travelling to the luxury resort where they were to spend Thanksgiving.

Abaco Police Superintendent Noel Curry said all five passengers were American but wouldn't release their names or comment on the extent of the survivors' injuries.

Mr Soffer is the head of Florida-based real estate developer Turnberry Associates who also owns the iconic Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach.

Trouble in paradise: An employee of the Bahama resort community called the crash a 'nightmare'

Thanksgiving tragedy: The passengers were travelling to the luxury Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club on Great Guana Cay in the Abacos Island

He also owns condominiums in Las Vegas, the Bahamas and Washington D.C.

Baker's Bay is a playground for millionaires located about 150 miles off Florida's eastern coast.

It includes an ocean-front golf course, a private family beach club and boutique shops.

There were roughly 180 people on the island property for Thanksgiving festivities, the resort employee said.

Location: The chopper plunged to the ground at upscale resort