Key John: Motions — New Zealand Defence Force—Deaths of Air Force Personnel in Anzac Day Helicopter Crash 
Key John: Motions — New Zealand Defence Force—Deaths of Air Force Personnel in Anzac Day Helicopter Crash 
[Volume:662;Page:10443] 
Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 I seek leave to move a motion without notice on the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of three Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel on Anzac Day. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course being followed? There is none. 
Hon JOHN KEY 
: I move  
That this House express its deep sympathy and condolences to the family friends and colleagues of those lost in the crash of an Air Force Iroquois helicopter on Anzac Day 
. On Sunday morning as New Zealanders across the country attended Anzac Day dawn commemorations three Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopters left Ohakea bound for Wellington. They were heading south to take part in a fly-past in honour of their fellow servicemen and women on Anzac Day. Sadly one of the helicopters did not make it. The Iroquois crashed into a hill near Pukerua Bay leaving three fine servicemen dead and their colleague with serious injuries in hospital. 
Flight Lieutenant Hayden Peter Madsen aged 33 Flying Officer Daniel Stephen Gregory aged 28 and Corporal Benjamin Andrew Carson aged 25 were lost. They were young men. They had the world in front of them but they are now mourned by us all. They were much more than talented helicopter pilots and crew; they were partners and husbands sons and brothers and to their colleagues they were three good mates. 
Since becoming Prime Minister I have been privileged to have had a glimpse into the family that is the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Only last month I spent time with No. 3 Squadron at Ohakea and was impressed with their professionalism skill and capability. Their camaraderie was strong. I have been a passenger in Iroquois helicopters flown by those talented people and I have the utmost respect for their abilities. Muddy Dan and Ben were part of that family. If there is a redeeming feature to this tragedy it is perhaps that those left behind have that tight Royal New Zealand Air Force family to call on for support. 
I was in the privileged position of giving the address at Chunuk Bair on Anzac Day with travelling members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force on hand. As I looked down I could not help but notice that many of the Air Force men and women had tears streaming down their faces. That showed how deeply personal this loss is for them all and what a tight family the Royal New Zealand Air Force is. Sergeant Stevin Creeggan can also call on that support as he recovers in hospital after surviving the crash. We wish him all the best for a full recovery and our thoughts are with him and his family. 
This is a chapter in the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s history that we wish had never been written. That the crash occurred on Anzac Day only adds to the pain and sense of loss and reminds us again of the risks our servicemen and women take every day. Muddy Dan and Ben will not be forgotten. They died doing what they loved. I must also add that this tragedy has been felt around the world. While travelling back from Gallipoli I was touched to receive a message of condolence from Her Majesty the Queen. The Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has also passed on his sympathies. 
This is a tough time for the Defence Force. Only yesterday Private Te Tahuna Tahapeehi died after a road accident outside the Linton military camp representing the fourth military death in 2 days. We stand alongside the families friends and colleagues of those men as they mourn their loss.