I am not buying into any of the emotive stuff being written here, save to put forward what has been posted on the RFS internal web about the loss of a great person and role model to many (including myself).
The RFS Mourns the Loss of Col Pay
We are deeply saddened by the loss of a long term contractor and friend Col Pay, who was an icon within the aerial firefighting industry.
Col was a pioneer in aerial firefighting and his knowledge, skills and experience were of the highest standard. He had exceptional knowledge of fires and he was regarded as one of the most experienced fire bombing pilots in the industry.
As a contractor with the RFS since the 1990’s, he has been integral to firefighting operations at some of the largest fires in the State. Col was professional, innovative and his wealth of knowledge enhanced both the aviation industry and firefighting across the country.
The firefighting industry is very close and the loss of such a generous and passionate person will be felt by Australian firefighters and those he battled major fires with in other parts of the world.
Col will be sadly missed by the RFS and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
Multiple news outlets are reporting that the plane Col was piloting crashed into Lake Liddell, near Singleton, on Friday. Police divers are continuing to search the lake for wreckage.
Posted on the 10 December 2007
Regards,
OpsN.