Three die in twin tragedies in the Hunter Valley

THE NSW Hunter Valley was the scene of two tragedies yesterday when two died in a chopper crash and a firefighter was hit by a falling tree.

THE NSW Hunter Valley was the scene of twin tragedies yesterday after two men died in a chopper crash and a firefighter was killed by a falling tree.

Respected helicopter pilot and flight instructor Ivor Durham, 51, and another man were killed when their Robinson R44 helicopter crashed at Cessnock airport and was engulfed in flames at about 11.45am.

The pilot, who was undertaking a re-accreditation training exercise under the tutelage of Mr Durham, was able to drag himself from the wreckage. Last night he was in a serious condition at John Hunter Hospital, in nearby Newcastle, with partial-thickness burns to his arms.

The local helicopter industry yesterday mourned the loss of Mr Durham, owner and director of Newcastle Helicopters.

"What a tragic loss to the industry," one man wrote in an online forum. "RIP you legend. You were my total inspiration and guidance and God love you mate."

The father of two and his wife, Karen, had recently received council approval to build their dream home in Medowie, north of Newcastle. The crash is being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Less than an hour later, 65-year-old National Parks and Wildlife Service field officer John Garland was killed by a falling tree while helping firefighters tackle a large blaze near Ellalong, southwest of Cessnock.

Mr Garland, an experienced tree-feller, was involved in a Rural Fire Service mopping-up operation when a tree he was inspecting fell on him, according to NPWS head Sally Barnes.

"He was trapped by the tree and, despite frantic efforts from those around him, was caught under the tree and passed away," Ms Barnes said.

NPWS spokeswoman Jenny Stokes said Mr Garland had worked for the service for 11 years and was often involved in fire-fighting operations.

"He was known statewide for the large number of remote fires he had attended," Ms Stokes said.

Friends described Mr Garland as a "gregarious" man who would do anything for anybody.

Mr Garland and his wife, Carol, lived in Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley. The couple had six children between them, and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Friends said Mr Garland's family "meant everything to him".

Colleagues described him as a mature and extremely capable member of the Hunter region field staff. One said he was "as fit as a Mallee bull".