Full military funeral for Anzac crash victims

Caskets are carried from Iroquois helicopters into No. 1 hangar before the start of the service. Photo / NZDF

More than 2000 Air Force and Defence Force personnel joined the families of three crewmen who died in the Anzac Day crash to farewell them at a military funeral this afternoon.

A full military service for Flight Lieutenant Hayden Madsen, Flying Officer Daniel Gregory and Corporal Benjamin Carson was held at 1.30pm at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base in Ohakea.

All three were tragically killed when their helicopter crashed near Pukerua Bay, Wellington on Anzac Day.

Before the service - led by Air Force Chaplain Wing Commander Ross Falconer - the men's caskets were flown in by three Iroquois helicopters from No. 3 Squadron.

The Prime Minister, representatives of the families and fellow aircrew spoke about the three young men.

Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron Wing Commander Russell Mardon also paid tribute.

Later this afternoon the caskets will be taken from No. 1 Hangar to No. 3 Hangar where they will be met by the families for private services.

Air Force personnel will line the route, together with a 100-person guard of honour and firing party.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

- NZHERALD STAFF