Bravery awards for White Island explosion rescue pilots

Commercial helicopter pilots who risked their own lives in the aftermath of the Whakaari White Island explosion were officially recognised yesterday receiving New Zealand Bravery awards for their efforts. The 2019 eruption killed 22 people with 25 others suffering moderate to significant burns and other injuries. Five pilots received the New Zealand Bravery star - the country's second highest bravery award next to the New Zealand cross. Between them, the pilots hovered over tour boats, lifting badly injured survivors onboard their helicopters to safety and flying them to the mainland. Other chopper pilots landed on the island itself, wading through falling ash wearing gas masks to search for casualties. Their efforts saw them find 20 people on the crater floor. 12 survivors were flown to the mainland whilst the bodies of eight others were repositioned for a later recovery. Reporter Krystal Gibbens went to Government House yesterday for the investiture. Kahu NZ pilots Jason Hill and Tom Storey and Volcanic Air pilot Tim Barrow - say the awards gave them a chance to reconnect and remember those who were lost.