NYE plane crash pilot Gareth Morgan’s family arrive in Sydney

THE heartbroken parents of the pilot at the helm of the doomed Hawkesbury River seaplane crash have told of their utter “devastation” at losing their son.

THE family of the pilot who perished in the New Year’s Eve seaplane crash have touched down in Sydney today.

THE heartbroken parents of the pilot at the helm of the doomed Hawkesbury River seaplane crash have told of their utter “devastation” at losing their son.

Shortly after landing in Sydney after a gruelling flight from Toronto today, Dudley and Orlis Morgan issued a statement describing the 44-year-old as a “wonderful” and “caring son” as they now brace themselves to help detectives with ongoing inquiries.

The parents of pilot Gareth Morgan: Dudley and Orlis Morgan, along with sister Cydane and brother Dallas arrive in Sydney. Picture: John Grainger

Today they and their son Dallas and daughter Cydane face the gruelling task of identifying his body and will in the forthcoming days finalise plans for his funeral at Waverley’s Jubilee Church on Wednesday.

The pilot of the Sydney Seaplanes’ aircraft was 44-year-old Gareth Morgan, who police described as “an experienced seaplane pilot”.

A joint family statement thanking the police and emergency services read:

“We would also like to give thanks to the civilians that tried to assist in the immediate aftermath of the accident and also Gareth’s friends and colleagues in Australia who have helped us through the last few days.

“Gareth was a wonderful and caring son and brother who never ceased to make us proud. His loss is devastating. Please respect our privacy over the coming days and allow us space to grieve.”

The group were escorted by Sydney Seaplanes Managing Director Aaron Shaw. Picture: John Grainger

Mrs Morgan is said to have been left “broken” by news of her son’s death in New Year’s Eve when the seaplane he was flying nosedived into the Hawkesbury River killing all on board, friends say.

The recovery of the wreckage of a Sydney Seaplane that crashed into the water on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Richard Dobson.

The family touched down just before 11am and were escorted through the airport and into a grey Mercedes van by Sydney Seaplanes executives from whom Mr Morgan worked.

Over the coming days they will visit their son’s home in Enfield which he shared with three other flat mates and are preparing a slide show of his life for his funeral planned for Wednesday morning.

Gareth Morgan, the pilot at the helm of the doomed Hawkesbury River seaplane crash.

A source close to the family said: “They will be staying at a hotel in Bondi Junction to be close to the church their son attended for seven years.

“Touching down in Sydney has brought home the huge reality of what’s happened.”