PORT HILLS FIRE
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Agony for chopper pilot’s family Father always dreaded getting the call By Gabrielle Stuart PAUL ASKIN has spent many years fearing terrible news about his son Steve. On Tuesday, that moment came when police arrived to tell him Steve had been killed in a helicopter crash, while he was fighting the Port Hills fires. The cause of the crash, which happened near Sugar Loaf, is being investigated by police, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. Steve, 37, died leaving his wife, Elizabeth, and two children, aged seven and four. He was a military hero, awarded a NZ Gallantry Star for his bravery while fighting for the SAS in Afghanistan in 2014. He had his ear shot off while rescuing hotel guests during a five-hour shootout against the Taliban in Kabul. Paul said Steve was the kind of person it was easy to be proud of. “I always thought if I was a hostage being held somewhere like that I would want boys like him coming to my rescue.
MEMORIES: Paul Askin said he was very proud of his son, who was a dedicated father, husband and brother. PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER COURAGE: Steve Askin was awarded a NZ Gallantry Star while fighting in Afghanistan. He volunteered to help fight the Port Hills fire in his helicopter.
Somebody’s kid has got to do it,” Paul said. He said Steve always wanted to do something worthwhile with his life. His last conversation with his son, who live next door, was on Monday night, chatting while Steve cooked the family’s dinner. Midway through Steve got the call about the fire, warning he could be called up to fight it. He was an experienced pilot for Way To Go Heliservices, but usually did agricultural work.
Paul said Steve was excited about being able to help, and left soon after the call to make sure the helicopters were ready to go. “He loved fighting fires, it was the best part of flying, for him,” Paul said. The next morning, Paul heard him leave at dawn. Steve called his wife from the helicopter later that day. When Paul got home later that afternoon, he said he heard there had been a helicopter crash. •Turn to page 3
SELWYN SOUNDS, P33 COUNTDOWN TO LINCOLN CONCERT
TRAGEDY: The crash site near Sugar Loaf.
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