Dad, 61, killed by copter blade

Relatives of a farm manager killed in a freak accident with a helicopter rotor blade last night spoke of their horror at his tragic death.

Ronald Heal, 61, died from head injuries when he accidentally walked into the spinning tail-rotor as he helped load supplies at the farm where he worked.

The accident occurred on farmland near the former Waipipi Ironsands entrance road.

Sergeant Kevin Smith, of Wanganui police, said the helicopter had been spraying farmland. Mr Heal was about to unload the aircraft when he walked behind it and into the tail-rotor. He was killed instantly.

Mr Smith said the helicopter was in idle mode at the time.

Occupational Safety and Health and the Labour Department have begun an investigation. Police will investigate on behalf of the Coroner.

Mr Heal has left behind a wife of 38 years and their four children. Son Dean Heal said: "It's absolutely horrible. We're still trying to piece it together. We have our moments but we're holding up."

Mr Heal said his father was a man respected throughout the Waverley community and would be sorely missed. "The world has lost the ultimate person. He was the loveliest, most caring, most wonderful person you could meet. He was one in a million - he will never be replaced"

Dean said his father loved playing practical jokes on unsuspecting victims. He recalled an incident when Mr Heal and his wife Lynn had watched a horror film.

Mr Heal hid in the wardrobe and shocked his wife, who thought he had hung himself.

Dean added that his dad loved to wear women's dresses at parties to surprise people. But while he lived life to the full, he was also an extremely hard worker.

"He was a role model. He was an outstanding fantastic worker. He never stopped. He never sat down. He would never retire. He would have worked until the end.

"We kept telling him to slow down but he would never listen," said Dean. Mr Heal had recently had a hip operation but even then, Dean said, he didn't stop working.

It is the second time a man has been struck by a rotor-blade in the past seven months. On Boxing Day last year another man was hit on the head by the main rotor of a helicopter. Johnny Lowe was walking away from the aircraft when the blade struck him on the head.

He managed to walk inside and call 111. He is still recovering from his injuries.

Mr Heal's funeral will be held on Thursday. Two of his sons are flying from Australia for the service.