Crash victim was microlight pioneer
Trevor Barrett shared his love of flying whenever he could.
The Pāuanui resident died when his microlight crashed in Taringatura Forest, west of Benmore, on Saturday.
Barrett and his wife, Lyn, lived for many years in Hamilton, where they owned Barrett Pharmacy in Dinsdale. They sold it a number of years ago.
On Saturday, the Rescue Coordination Centre advised police of a report of an overdue microlight just north of Nightcaps, north of Invercargill, about 12.45pm, a police statement said.
Southern Lakes Helicopter and Te Anau Police Search and Rescue reached the plane about 4.15pm.
Barrett, who was the only person aboard, was found dead at the scene in a cleared forestry block. His body has since been recovered.
Fellow Recreational Aircraft Association of NZ member Colin Alexander had known Barrett for 19 years.
‘‘He was a really good guy. He loved talking and he loved talking about flying. Once you got him talking on flying, it was difficult to find the off switch.’’
Barrett and several mates were heading to Stewart Island, but the alert went up when he didn’t make the briefing at O¯ pio beforehand.
‘‘He was aware of the consequences of being unsafe – he was a person who enjoyed the full limits of flying.’’ Alexander said that Barrett was very social, very friendly, and was always part of everything going. ‘‘He was down south to catch up with his mates down there – to chew the fat with them.’’ Barrett had been part of the microlight community from its very beginning in New Zealand. He started off flying Quicksilver and Thruster microlights and had done a lot to promote the flying of microlights in New Zealand. Alexander said Barrett would be sorely missed. ‘‘I am very shocked. He and I had a good banter just last week.’’ Alexander said that the family is obviously devastated. His wife and daughter are in Pāuanui and his son is flying in from Perth.