Helicopter pilot fighting the Port Hills fires died when his aircraft crashed today
The wife of the pilot and war hero killed when his helicopter crashed as he fought the Port Hills fires is "amazed" by the support for her family.
Steve Askin, 37, died on Tuesday afternoon when the helicopter he was in crashed near the Sugarloaf telecommunications tower near the summitof the Christchurch hills.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, and children Isabelle, 7, and 4-year-old Bowie.
Steve Askin with his wife Elizabeth. Picture / Askin Family
A Givealittle page was set up after Askin's death by a relative.
By early Sunday evening more than $200,000 had been donated. A second Givealittle page had nearly $50,000 in donations.
"Elizabeth is amazed how much support she has received from New Zealand and overseas," the relative said in a post on the Givealittle page published earlier today.
Elizabeth Askin shows her daughter Herald front page story on her hero daddy. Picture / Askin Family
"She is still in shock but has been encouraged by all the tributes that have come through as people donate.
"I think everyone wants to support Elizabeth, Bowie and Isabelle because they know what a huge sacrifice Steve made - both in the army and fighting the Christchurch fires.
