The pilot killed in a horror accident in remote bushland north of Sydney was a hero helicopter veteran who flew mercy missions in the Hawkesbury floods and bushfires.
Carl Hearps, 67, died when his helicopter crashed in dense bushland north of Sydney on Saturday, with thick plumes of smoke leading rescuers to the site.
Police Rescue officers found Mr Hearps’ body among the shattered burning wreckage but were unable to save him.
Carl Hearps, 67, died when his helicopter crashed in dense bushland north of Sydney on Saturday, with thick plumes of smoke leading rescuers to the site
Police Rescue officers found Carl Hearps’s body among the shattered burning wreckage but were unable to save him.
The respected and skilled pilot had played a key role in fighting the 2019 bushfires and helping stranded families in the recent floods.
On Friday he posted an eerie Facebook update, linking to a picture of tangled powerlines which had almost brought down another helicopter in Wiseman’s Ferry.
‘Well there is a lucky helicopter pilot out there somewhere apparently!’ he posted in the chilling message.
‘The pitfalls of flying in marginal weather St Albans NSW.’
On Friday Carl Hearps posted an eerie Facebook update, linking to a picture of tangled powerlines which had almost brought down another helicopter in Wiseman’s Ferry
Just 24 hours later, shocked friends and colleagues were paying tribute to the beloved grandfather after his death was confirmed.
‘Very sad today to hear the tragic passing of an incredibly experienced aviator Carl Hearps, having worked with him at many fires from the south coast to the mid north coast,’ said firefighter Alex Millgate.
‘Whenever he found out he was working on a fireground I was at, he always made sure to come say hi and check in on our crew, even if it was as far away as Cooma
‘A massive loss to the firefighting community.’
The respected and skilled pilot had played a key role in fighting the 2019 bushfires and helping stranded families in the recent bushfires
Friends and colleagues called Carl Hearps a ‘gem of a man’ (seen here grabbing water to fight a bushfire) and a massive loss to the firefighting community
Another family friend described him as a ‘gem of a man’ with a ‘beautiful family who do so much for the community.’
‘He loved flying his helicopters and always helping when the fires went through plus floods in the Hawkesbury area,’ the friend told the Daily Telegraph.
‘He was truly a gem of a man who would give you the shirt of his back if you needed help.’
Social media videos revealed many of his vital missions as chief pilot for NSW Helicopters, flying in vital supplies to cut-off communities and carrying out hazardous water-drops on bushfires.
He began his flying career in 1982, but reportedly survived a high speed boat crash on the Hawkesbury in 2002 while competing in the Dargle Cup and his boat flipped at 250km/h.
Emergency response teams called to the remote bushland near South Maroota just before midday Saturday and battled their way through tricky terrain and flood-affected trails to get to the helicopter.
Carl Hearps was chief pilot for NSW Helicopters, flying in vital supplies to cut-off communities and carrying out hazardous water-drops on bushfires
Rescue teams were led to the scene by thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the Maroota hillside (pictured)
The helicopter was on fire when New South Wales Fire and Rescue first arrived, with thick black plumes of smoke billowing over the dense tree canopy.
The Fire and Rescue teams quickly contained the fire.
Emergency services fought through dense and flood-affected terrain as they tried to reach the helicopter crash site
Other emergency crews were then able to begin making their way to the wreckage, and found the body of the pilot in the debris.
Police established a crime scene and will guard the area overnight.
Recovery operations and further investigations will continue on Sunday.
The response team included Police helicopter teams, Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance helicopter, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW SES and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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