Names released from Kapiti air crash tragedy

Wellington Coroner Ian Smith has approved the release of names for the three young men who died in yesterday's mid-air crash tragedy at Paraparaumu.

They victims are:


• James David Taylor, aged 19 years, of Waikanae. Mr Taylor was the student helicopter pilot, and is originally from the Nelson Lakes area.
• David Mark Fielding, aged 30 years, a rescue pilot from Palmerston North who has a long association with aviation in the Kapiti and Manawatu areas. Mr Fielding was the flight examiner on the helicopter and was testing Mr Taylor. He has a three month old daughter and was to be married next month.
• Bevan Andrew Hookway, aged 17 years, of Raumati South. Mr Hookway, a senior student at Kapiti College, was piloting the Cessna aircraft and died in Wellington Hospital from injuries received in the crash.

Police and Transport Accident Investigation Commission specialists are still at both scenes which are expected to remain closed for at least today.

A media conference will be held at Kapiti Coast District Council, Mayoral Chambers, Rimu Road, Paraparaumu at 10.30am to provide an update.