Spanish authorities are posthumously awarding a New Zealand search and rescue helicopter pilot one of the country's highest honours.
Kevin Holmes, 43, and two of his colleagues died when their Helimar 207 helicopter crashed into the sea near Almeria, in southern Spain, during a recent training exercise.
This week he would be awarded the Gold Medal for Civil Protection, to recognise his work with the Spanish maritime rescue service, the Herald on Sunday reported.
Mr Holmes, who was survived by his wife Vera, was cremated Wednesday in Almunecar, where he lived. He had lived in Canada for 10 years.
The cause of the accident, which one crew member survived, has not been established.
