Parliament mourns Iroquois crash victims

Parliament today paid tribute to the three airmen who were killed in the Anzac Day helicopter crash just outside Wellington.

Prime Minister John Key, who cut short an overseas trip when he heard about the deaths, led the tributes for Flying Officer Daniel Stephen Gregory, 28, Flight Lieutenant Hayden Peter Madsen, 33, and Corporal Benjamin Andrew Carson, 25.

"They had the world in front of them but they are now mourned by us all," he said.

"They were much more than talented helicopter pilots and crew, they were partners and husbands, sons and brothers, and to their colleagues three good mates.

"This is a chapter in the RNZAF's history which we wish had never been written. That this crash occurred on Anzac Day only adds to the sense of pain and loss and reminds us again of the risks our servicemen and women take every day."

Mr Key said the tragedy had been felt around the world, and while he was travelling home from Gallipoli he received a message of condolence from Queen Elizabeth.

Labour leader Phil Goff said the New Zealand Defence Force was comparatively small but was very close knit.

"Our Defence Force personnel are suffering a sense of shock and loss," he said.

"Loss of life in any accident is tragic but for three of those men to have lost their lives before dawn on Anzac Day as they flew from Ohakea to Wellington for a flyover of the dawn parade, that makes it particularly tragic."

Mr Key, Mr Goff and the leaders of the other parties in Parliament also paid tribute to the young soldier who was killed in a motorcycle accident at Linton base yesterday. He was Private Te Tahuna Tahapeehi, 21, of the 2nd Logistics Battalion based at the camp.

- NZPA