SOUTH African helicopter pilot, Cameron Dalziel (43), was among the 298 people on board the ill-fated Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that was reportedly shot down in the Ukraine on Thursday.
Rescuetech volunteer paramedic, Mark Easton, who worked with Cameron, said he was shocked to hear of his death.
“When I saw the reports on Facebook, I couldn’t believe it was him. He was such an upstanding guy and one of the best pilots I have ever worked with,” he said.
Easton said Dalziel had worked as a helicopter rescue pilot for many years and was well known in paramedic circles.
“I met him when I did my EMA course. He was a fantastic guy and flew for Starlight Helicopters, Netcare, Vodacom Rescue and John Rolf Rescue,” he said.
“He was a brilliant graphic artist, cartoonist and comic. Everyone liked him. If I remember correctly, he was a lifesaver as well. I still can’t believe that he is gone,” he said, adding that he had flown with Dalziel on a sea rescue.
“He really was a phenomenal pilot, his death is a huge loss,” he said. “Cameron was an integral part part of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in KZN. My condolences go out to his family and to everybody who knew him,” Easton said.
He leaves his wife, Reine, and their sons, Sheldon, 14, and Cruz, 4.
He was on his way back home to Malaysia after undergoing training in the Netherlands. He and his family moved to Malaysia in 2013 where he worked for CHC Helicopters.
