New Zealand

Family release video tribute to chopper pilot who died in crash

14:48 pm on 26 October 2018

The older brothers of a pilot who died in a helicopter crash near Wanaka have released a touching tribute video.

The three men who died in the helicopter crash near Wanaka Airport (from left) Nick Wallis, Paul Hondelink and Scott Theobold. Photo: Supplied

Nick Wallis, 38, died when the Hughes 500 helicopter he was flying crashed near Wanaka Airport last Thursday.

Brothers Jonathan and Toby Wallis released the video on the Alpine Helicopters Facebook page to mark a week since his death.

The video was posted with a message saying: "We think this is pretty special. We think you will find this special too. Toby & Jojo."

It shows Nick Wallis flying passengers in an Alpine Helicopter over Wanaka.

He was one of four sons of aviation pioneer Sir Tim Wallis. In July, another son, Matthew, died in a helicopter crash in Lake Wanaka.

A funeral for Nick Wallis will be held at the Alpine Helicopter Hanger at Wanaka Airport this Saturday.

Mr Wallis was one of three men who died in the crash. The others were Department of Conservation rangers Paul Hondelink, 63, and Scott Theobald, 59, of Twizel.