The Dorrigo community was in shock after 41-year-old National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger, Aaron Harber, was killed and a pilot seriously injured when their helicopter crashed last Wednesday (Dec 9).
Tributes flowed for Mr Harber, who had been performing firefighting duties.
Police said the helicopter crashed about 11.40am on Wednesday in dense rainforest on a private property on Dome Road at Dorrigo.
Emergency personnel arrived at the scene to find the pilot suffering critical head, chest and back injuries. Mr Harber was already dead. The pilot was taken by ambulance to Dorrigo Hospital.
Mayor Mark Troy said the Dorrigo community had suffered a great loss. “Our thoughts have been with Aaron's family and his colleagues. Dorrigo is likened to a large supportive family, this makes any tragic event all the more profound,” Cr Troy said. “Last week’s accident is a sad reminder of the risks associated with emergency service activities both for service personel and volunteers."
Les Bravery had worked with Mr Harber. ''He was just a great guy to work with.”
''He was doing something he enjoyed doing.''
Another friend, Peter Carter said Mr Harber loved cricket and trail biking.
''He enjoyed life,'' he said. ''It's a bloody shock. I was told and I didn't want to believe it.
''He was an easygoing sort of bloke and he would do anything to help you.''
The National Parks and Wildlife Service head, Sally Barnes, said the service was devastated by the loss of the well-respected member of his community.
''Our ranger was killed while protecting the lives and homes of others,'' she said. "His sacrifice cannot be understated.
"We are all still in a state of shock and dealing with our grief both as individuals and as an organisation.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family, NPWS colleagues, friends and the local Dorrigo community.''
All those who knew and loved Aaron are invited to attend a celebration of his life to be held at the Dorrigo Rec. Ground on Friday 18th December at 11am.
Aaron was an integral part of our community, at work, in sport and throughout the life of the town. His family, the Dorrigo community and his extended National Parks and Wildlife family will come together on Friday to share treasured memories and celebrate the life of a special man who will be greatly missed.
Feel free to wear relevant sports uniform or loud shirt. Bring hats or umbrellas as appropriate. Shelter and seating will be available. Car parking is limited so please consider walking if in town.
No flowers please, donations in lieu to Movember or Beyond Blue. Donations may be made on the day.
The incident was the third in 24 hours involving aircraft being used to fight about 110 fires burning across the state, caused mainly by lightning strikes and fuelled by extremely dry bushland.
On Tuesday (Dec 8), a helicopter operating at a firefront about 40km south-east of Tamworth suffered engine malfunction, causing the aircraft to land heavily. The pilot suffered minor facial injuries but the helicopter was extensively damaged.
At Bathurst about 7pm on Tuesday, two helicopters clipped each other in heavy smoke and landed safely, one aircraft sustaining minor damage. There were no injuries to personnel.
The Premier, Kristina Keneally, expressed her sympathy for Mr Harber who had been with the service for 12 years and who left behind two small children.
''This has been a tragic day and a very sad day for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service,'' she said. ''Today is a reminder of the dangers those personnel face every time they go to work.
''We face one of the most difficult seasons of bushfire conditions that NSW has seen for some time.''
The chief pilot of Bankstown-based company Helitreck, Todd Wilson, has had over 15 years experience firefighting with the Rural Fire Service and knows the dangers involved.
''You could say that flying helicopters is inherently dangerous,'' he said.
''The bush firefighting environment, due to lack of visibility and winds, can increase the pilot's workload. Also, the concentration of aircraft in the area - sometimes you can have five or six helicopters in the area.''
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