The funeral for the helicopter pilot killed while on a rescue mission after a fire in the far north will be held this afternoon.
Prickles de Ridder was attempting to rescue stranded residents, along with Department of Conservation worker William Macrae, when their helicopter crashed into the sea off Matai Bay last week.
Mr de Ridder was an experienced agricultural pilot who had been flying for more than 40 years.
Mr Macrae’s funeral was held on Tuesday.
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