Sad news for a Sunday. It has been confirmed that a SANParks firefighting chopper crashed at 11 am this morning in Olifantsbos, Cape Point, while on duty fighting a blaze that started in the reserve last Wednesday.
The Huey chopper was forced to make a crash landing earlier today, during which the pilot was critically injured, later passing away as confirmed on ER24.
The fallen hero has been identified as Bees Marais, an ex-SAPS and SA Air Force pilot who worked more recently as a freelance flyer for the Work On Fire organisation.
Helicopter involved in a forced landing while on fire suppression duty Cape Point. Air ambulance on the way to the scene. Pilot injured.
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) March 8, 2015
Huey helicopter doing a fire recce and control came down near Cape Point. Tragically pilot killed. #CapeFire — Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 8, 2015
#CapeFire ER24 has confirmed a pilot died after his emergency helicopter went down at Cape Point a short while ago. NM
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 8, 2015
The pilot has died an absolute hero and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. Read more here.