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The helicopter / Instagram page
A ruined helicopter covered in ash after the volcano erupted on White Island on December 9, 2019.
More than 69,000 people have signed a petition for the charges against the Whakaari / White Island pilots involved in the rescue and recovery mission to be dropped.
The Change.org petition was launched in support of pilots Mark Law, CEO of Kahu NZ, and Tim Barrow, director and chief pilot of Volcanic Air Helicopters and Floatplanes.
Both men were involved in initial rescue efforts in the wake of the December 9, 2019, eruption that killed 22 people.
By Saturday morning, more than 69,000 signatures had been obtained and more people were showing their support every minute. In 90 minutes more than 3,000 new signatures were added.
READ MORE:
* Funds raised to defend the pilot ‘who led the charge’ in the rescue of Whakaari
* Adventure travel rules under review again, what about the role of WorkSafe?
* GNS Science, White Island Tours included in 13 WorkSafe prosecutions for the Whakaari / White Island eruption
* WorkSafe researchers request information from White Island Tours
The petition calls on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to acknowledge Law and Barrow’s extraordinary efforts, rather than allowing WorkSafe to charge them.
“These men do not deserve this treatment, as Kiwi we make things happen when things get ugly,” read the description of the petition. “Let’s defend these true Kiwi heroes.”
Law helped rescue five people from the island, Barrow picked up the last survivor. In all the planes that participated in the rescue mission, one person was reportedly killed on board.
WorkSafe has filed charges against thirteen parties: ten organizations and three individuals. GNS Science, White Island Tours, the National Emergency Management Agency (Civil Defense) and Volcanic Air confirmed that they are among those facing charges.
Christel Yardley / Stuff
Kahu NZ CEO Mark Law rescued five people from Whakaari / White Island after its eruption in December 2019.
The WorkSafe investigation and subsequent charges relate to the pre-eruption period, not post-eruption recovery and rescue options.
“This was an unexpected event, but that doesn’t mean it was unpredictable and operators have a duty to protect the people in their care,” WorkSafe CEO Phil Parkes said Monday.
Post-rash actions may be subject to other procedures, such as a coronary investigation.
Parkes explained that the 13 accused parties failed to meet their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act of 2015 by bringing tourists to the island.
“As a nation, we must look at this tragedy and ask ourselves if we are really doing enough to ensure that our mothers, fathers, children and friends return home safe and sound at the end of each day.
“Now it is up to the judicial system to determine if they did or not.”
Dominico Zapata / Things
Tim Barrow, director of Volcanic Air Safari and lead pilot, helped the victims fly to safety after the eruption.
WorkSafe declined to comment on the petition as the matter is before the court.
Whakatāne Mayor Judy Turner found it inappropriate to comment on the petition or the charges due to court proceedings. He also noted that full details of the WorkSafe report have yet to be released.
“I understand why they are upset, I fully understand it, but I think we have to do taihoa and wait to see what the charges are.”
Veteran pilot John Funnell, who was also involved in rescue efforts on the island, is raising money to help fund Law’s legal battle.
“The cost of defending these charges is enormous, the ramifications are even greater if they are not defended,” Funnell said.
The serious charges have been brought at a time when Law’s business, Kahu Helicopters, is on the brink of collapse.
“They have shut down their air transport operations because White Island was most of their job and of course they have no income to mount a challenge to make sure they have a fair hearing in court.”
Funnell was aware of the request but has not complied with it, however, he supports anything that could make life easier for these operators facing charges.
“The cost of defense is the biggest hurdle and that’s where I’ve tried to raise money.”
