Friends pay tribute to uMhlanga pilot
His death is a loss not only to the emergency services, but also to the Durban North community says colleagues.
HE was a man of unquestionable professionalism, he was a super guy, he inspired others and his death is a great loss not only to the emergency services, but also to the Durban North community.
Those were some of the tributes given by fellow friends and colleagues after the death of former uMhlanga resident and helicopter pilot, Cameron Dalziel. The 43-year-old was on board the Malaysian Airline Boeing 777 that was shot down near the village of Grabovo, Ukraine on Thursday. The passenger plane was flying from the Dutch city of Amsterdam to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
A total of 298 people, including all passengers and crew members, died in the crash. According to preliminary reports, the airliner was carrying 71 Dutchmen, 23 passengers from the United States, nine British citizens and four Frenchmen among others.
Heinz de Boer, DA uMhlanga ward councillor, described Dalziel as a hard working, level-headed pilot. The two had worked together as part of Hunters Sea Rescue helicopter. De Boer was a lifeguard at Salt Rock.
“He was just a super guy, I had so many good memories of him. He was loved and respected by everyone. He inspired youngsters who wanted to become pilots and was always encouraging people. We had a feeling of invincibility when we were flying with him because he was such a good pilot. This is a tragic day and his loss is felt within the North Durban community which he served dutifully,” he said.
Dalziel, a former Beachwood (Northwood) pupil and lifesaver at uMhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club was also fondly remembered by longtime member Martin Pretorius.
“He was a just a lovely person. Everybody’s talking about what a great pilot he was, but he was also a fantastic lifesaver. He was always friendly and was incredibly dedicated and hardworking. My condolences go out to his wife and his lovely children,” Pretorius said.
He added the club would be inscribing Dalziel’s name on to the board of remembrance to honour him.
Following the crash of the Malaysian airplane Germany’s flag carrying airline Lufthansa and Malaysian Airlines has taken a decision to change its routes to Europe to avoid flying over eastern Ukraine.
