Napier shooting: 'Tragedy after tragedy'

Mike O'Leary is still recovering from the injuries suffered in Taupo. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Just 13 days after pulling two children from a burning car wreck in a five-person fatal accident in Taupo, Inspector Mike O'Leary was in the thick of the Napier gun siege that cost the life of his work and footy mate Senior Constable Len Snee.

"I guess I would say it's been tragedy after tragedy," Mr O'Leary told the Herald yesterday.

The eastern districts operations manager still has bandages on his burned hands, but said the wounds had all but healed and he was in no pain.

The Hastings father of three was hailed a hero after pulling Kawana and Amethyst Kemp, aged 9 and 2, from a burning van while four family members perished around them.

And while the memories of that three-car collision and the feeling of helplessness over being unable to save the others have not disappeared, he has been forced to move on.

"When you learn that your mate's been killed ... that's a job to be done and you do what you have got to do," he said.

Mr O'Leary was stationed at the bottom of Chaucer Rd throughout the three-day saga, organising road blocks and cordons, evacuating people and co-ordinating air space.