Town yearns for end to winter of horror

Lieutenant O'Donnell's older brother Andrew worked at the farm where Scott Guy was killed. Photo / Mark Mitchell

This week's deaths are the latest in Feilding's winter of horror, but a local leader says the tragedies will only make the community stronger.

The discovery of the Lees Rd bodies comes after last month's murder of farmer Scott Guy, 31, and the deaths of pilot Jessica Neeson, 27, and her student Patricia Smallman, 64, in an air collision near Feilding Aerodrome, and this month's death of local soldier Tim O'Donnell, 28, in Afghanistan.

Lieutenant O'Donnell's older brother Andrew worked at the farm where Mr Guy was killed. The plane that Ms Neeson and Mrs Smallman were flying in was leased by the Guy family.

Local district councillor John Gregory said the events were shocking.

"We certainly have had a bad run. We have had a really peaceful community, believe it or not. This is certainly not what normally happens in Feilding. We are known as Friendly Feilding, for crying out loud."

Mr Gregory thought the events would serve to strengthen the community, which will gather at a pre-planned service on Friday to remember those killed in the tragedies.

"We've got a community that rallies around and helps each other. We'll definitely rise above this."

Feilding's Senior Sergeant Nigel Allan said the town had had its fair share of tragedy in the last two moths.

"Recent events have placed significant demands on policing but we have worked incredibly hard to ensure that the quality of service we provide the community is not affected.

"We have staff from surrounding areas assisting us with the Scott Guy investigation and yesterday's tragedy which enables us to maintain a focus on day-to-day policing without disruption," Mr Allan said.

He said the community was showing "admirable resilience" and are supporting police.

- With NZHERALD STAFF