A heroic helicopter veteran who performed relief flights during the Hawkesbury floods and bushfires, the pilot who perished in a horrifying accident in a remote forest mishap north of Sydney.
On Saturday, rescuers were guided to the scene of Carl Hearps’, 67, death when his chopper crashed in deep wilderness north of Sydney.
Mr. Hearps’ body was discovered by police rescue personnel among the splintered, flaming debris, but they were unable to save him.
The recognized and accomplished pilot had been crucial in saving lives during the recent floods and assisting stranded families during the 2019 bushfires.
He shared an unsettling Facebook status on Friday that included a link to a photo of tangled power wires that had nearly brought down another helicopter in Wiseman’s Ferry.
He wrote in the terrifying message, “Apparently there is a lucky helicopter pilot out there!”
The risks of flying in bad weather St. Albans, New South Wales
Just 24 hours after the cherished grandfather’s passing was confirmed, horrified friends and coworkers were paying respect to him.
Firefighter Alex Millgate expressed his sadness at learning of the unfortunate death of the very skilled aviator Carl Hearps, who had assisted in numerous fires from the south coast to the mid-north coast.
Even if it was as far away as Cooma, he always made sure to come say hi and check in on our crew if he learned he was working on a fireground I was at.
A significant loss for the fire service.
“A bloke that was in the heart of all the disasters helping individuals in need!” Steven Alchin continued.
Additionally, Joel Rhind acknowledged that the world has lost “another absolute gentleman and one hell of a pilot, doing what he loved and did best.”
He was a “jewel of a man,” according to another family member, with a “wonderful family who do so much for the town.”
The acquaintance told the Daily Telegraph that “he liked flying his helicopters and always assisting when the fires passed through plus floods in the Hawkesbury region.”
“If you needed help, he would give you the clothes from his back,” said the speaker.
Videos posted on social media showed several of his crucial tasks as NSW Helicopters’ chief pilot, including dropping dangerous water on bushfires and transporting supplies to isolated towns.
While racing in the Dargle Cup in 2002, when his boat flipped at 250 km/h, he reportedly escaped a high-speed boat disaster on the Hawkesbury. He started his flying career in 1982.
Just before noon on Saturday, emergency reaction personnel were sent to the remote forest near South Maroota and battled their way to the helicopter via challenging terrain and paths damaged by flooding.
When New South Wales Fire and Rescue initially arrived, the helicopter was on fire and massive black plumes of smoke were pouring over the dense tree canopy.
The fire was swiftly put out by the Fire and Rescue services.
The pilot’s body was discovered in the wreckage by other emergency services after they were able to reach the scene.
Police have set up a crime scene and will keep watch there all night.
On Sunday, recovery efforts and more inquiries will go on.
The reaction team includes the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, NSW SES, NSW Rural Fire Service, Police Helicopter Teams, Police Rescue, and NSW Ambulance Helicopter.
The crash’s circumstances will be the focus of an investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.