Family and friends gather for funeral of helicopter pilot Matt Wallis

  • 30/07/2018

A large turnout of family and friends are expected for an Otago pilot's funeral today.

Hundreds are expected to celebrate Matt Wallis' life in a hangar at Wanaka Airport.

John Gilks from Warbirds over Wanaka says it has been a difficult time for the community.

"We're getting over a big shock. Matt was only 39. It's going to take a little while to come to terms with it."

Mr Gilks says there's likely to be a big turnout at the funeral.

"We have a small staff at Warbirds over Wanaka and they'll be there, so we'll be represented as much as we possibly can."

Matt Wallis' helicopter went down at Lake Wanaka just over a week ago.

It is still yet to be determined what caused the helicopter to crash.

Newshub.