Two men who died when their chopper crashed into the ocean during a raging bush fire had been on their way to save others from the flames.
The bodies of Northland pilot John "Prickles'' de Ridder and Department of Conservation ranger William Macrae were found by two commercial divers about 12pm today.
The two men were conducting a reconnaissance flight in a Squirrel ZK-IMB helicopter over a fiercely burning scrub fire on the Karikari Peninsula, 40km northeast of Kaitaia, when they disappeared about 10pm yesterday.
Salt Air chief executive Grant Harnish said the company helicopter crashed into the sea about 1km off the northern end of Karikari Moana beach.
"The aircraft was helping to fight a fire and we understand at this point that the pilot had been requested by authorities to divert in order to extract people from the beach, away from approaching flames and out of harm's way,'' Mr Harnish said.
Mr de Ridder was an experienced pilot who just a week ago had been fighting a 345ha forest fire at Horeke in South Hokianga - the Far North's biggest fire in many years.
Meanwhile, DOC staff are mourning the loss of "Willy'' Macrae.
The 54-year-old grandfather had worked for the department for more than 15 years in Kaitaia.
Area manager John Maxwell said Mr Macrae was an experienced firefighter who was the top man for assessing rural fires and deciding what resources were needed to extinguish it.
He was also involved in dealing with whale strandings and had played a major role in organising the lifting and moving of whales at Spirits Bay last year.
Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said police divers were recovering the bodies late today.
Meanwhile, detectives have examined the area where the fire started and while they have described it as suspicious, they are unable to say how it started.
Police wanted to hear from any one who had seen people or cars on a private access road between Matai Bay Rd and the Karikari lighthouse.
The fire destroyed at least two homes and forced at least five residents to flee their homes into the sea.
Whatuwhiwhi resident and Kaitaia volunteer firefighter Colin Kitchen said residents were angry about the string of suspicious fires.
"Residents up here are getting pretty angry. There has been the loss of two lives. It's beyond a joke and someone should be held accountable.''
- Northern Advocate
