A coroner has ruled the deaths of two distinguished Far North firefighters in a helicopter crash as "unnecessary", and says the accident highlights the importance of safety and planning.
Prickles de Ridder and William Macrae set off to rescue several people trapped between advancing flames on the Karikari Peninsula in November 2011, but their chopper crashed into the ocean.
The coroner has ruled they were flying in a dangerous mix of conditions, in the dark with rolling smoke and turbulent winds.
He also found there were clear communication and command issues at a time when local resources were extremely stretched, and the Northland Rural Fire Authority has since "matured" and is enjoying "noted success" in fighting fires.
The fire was deliberately lit, and no one has been held accountable for it.
Newshub.
