Two Air Force men die in bike crashes

Air Force staff are mourning the loss of two colleagues in separate motorcycle crashes within hours of each other on Sunday.

Kiel Alois Nolly, 23, and Clinton Jeffery Smith, 25, were members of the same squadron at the Whenuapai air base.

Police said Corporal Smith died when his motorcycle failed to negotiate a turn and crashed on Brigham Creek Rd, in Whenuapai, about 1.15am.

Aircraftman Nolly and his pillion passenger, Stephanie Leigh Kempton, 22, of Christchurch, were killed at 2.25pm when they attempted to overtake a truck in Rodney.

The police serious crash unit is investigating the fatalities.

An Air Force spokeswoman said Corporal Smith was an aircraft technician who served in the Middle East as part of the anti-terrorism Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. He was from Christchurch.

Aircraftman Nolly, from Mt Maunganui, was an aircraft mechanic who completed his training in March last year.

Wing Commander Stu MacKenzie, the Whenuapai base commander, said both men were valued members of the Air Force and the base community.

"They were skilled airmen who went about their duties in a professional manner and will be missed by their colleagues," he said.

"The fact they both died on the same day is a double tragedy. Our thoughts are with their friends and families."

A memorial service was likely to be held but details were still being discussed.

Air Force spokeswoman Danielle Coe said neither man was on duty when they died and the inquiry into their deaths would be handled by police.