Survivor Sergeant Stevin Creeggan (left), and being hoisted aboard the Westpac rescue helicopter after Sunday's crash. Photos / NZDF, NZPA
Relatives are "greatly encouraged" by the progress made by an Air Force Sergeant who survived a deadly helicopter crash on Anzac Day.
Bill Gregory said his nephew, Sergeant Stevin Creeggan, suffered serious chest, spine and leg injuries in the crash which claimed the lives of Hayden Madsen, Ben Carson and
Dan Gregory.
Mr Creeggan was the sole survivor of Sunday morning's Iroquois helicopter crash, the worst Air Force tragedy in decades.
He was expected to be in rehabilitation for a long period of time, Mr Gregory said. However the family was hopeful of a full recovery.
"This is a very challenging time but we are looking forward with confidence," Mr Gregory said.
Mr Creeggan, who has been able to hold conversations for the first time since the crash, asked about his fellow servicemen.
"He had difficulty comprehending (their deaths) and really getting his head around it," said Mr Gregory.
He said that at first his nephew had accepted that he was the only survivor but had later come to question why he had lived when his colleague had not.
Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott had earlier described Mr Creegan's survival as "miraculous."
Mr Gregory said a breakdown in communication had led to early reports that Mr Creegan had also died in the crash.
"It gave us an insight as to what those families must be going through, and when I say our hearts go out to them and we feel for their loss, we really do."
Mr Gregory said the family thanked the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, the NZ Defence Force, the public and the staff of Wellington Public Hospital for their support.
