The helicopter pilot who died while fighting bushfires in New South Wales has been named as Kiwi man Allan Tull.
The NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed what Australian media reported on Friday night, calling Mr Tull "one of the most experienced fire bombing pilots in the industry".
"The aviation firefighting industry is very close and this tragic loss will be felt by all involved, along with the broader firefighting community and those he worked alongside in other parts of the world," said chief pilot Mark Harrold.
"He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time."
The charter craft crashed at 2:10pm local time on Friday afternoon while fighting a bushfire that had burnt through almost 1700 hectares in Woodstock, west of Ulladulla.
Mr Tull was part of an operation water bombing the fires and the bucket become snagged in a trees, bringing it to the ground, 9 News reported.
He was a member of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Newshub.
