Plane crash victim 'top bloke'

The brother of a former Te Puke man killed in a plane crash in South Africa last week say he was a 'down to earth and top Kiwi bloke” who died doing what he loved.

Last Thursday, Richard Primrose along with fellow Kiwi John Walton were killed when the Cessna 182 they were in crashed into the mountains in Mpumalanga, 300km north-east of their destination of Johannesburg.


Margaret Primrose (left), her late son Richard Primrose, his sister Susan and brother Andrew Primrose during a family gathering in January. Photo: Supplied

It is understood the pair were leading the safari – the third trip the 49-year-old had organised – flying in formation with two other aircraft filled with tourists on air safari. An air force helicopter found the wreckage that afternoon.

Crew on a medical helicopter that went to the crash scene found the plane had crashed in an area of thick clay and bush.

Richard's brother Andrew, speaking on behalf of his sister Susan and mother Margaret, says information is still 'sketchy” about how the incident happened.

Richard was born in Whakatane before his parents Margaret and the late Ben Primrose moved back to Te Puke, purchasing back half of the family's farm when Richard was a one-year-old.

Richard attended school in Te Puke before attending St Paul's Collegiate where an eye for all things mechanical blossomed.

'Just as a younger kid he was typical farmer kid of adventure. More mechanically orientated which led to him leaving school at the end of his sixth form year and getting an apprenticeship with Edwards & Son Engineering (as a fitter and turner) in Tauranga,” says Andrew.

After completing his apprenticeship, Richard worked at Glenbrook Steel Mill before embarking on an OE. When he returned to New Zealand he set up his own hydraulics engineering business in Pukekohe.

It was not until seven years ago that his passion for flying began. Andrew says it was his grandfather Dick's childhood tales of Africa and the animals which first planted the seed for the three siblings – more so for Richard.

'Right as little children we heard the stories of Africa and sowed the seeds in all of us,” says Andrew.

'Richard more so probably because there is a four year gap between my brother and I, so he was sort of linked with grandfather; that little kid listening to the stories on grandpa's knee.”

Flying was Richard's absolute passion and he just loved South Africa, says his brother.

Richard was also a former firefighter with Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade and Pukekohe Fire Brigade after moving there in 1987 just before he married his wife Kim.

Andrew says he only resigned as a volunteer from the Pukekohe brigade a few years ago due to work commitments. He was also a member of Te Puke Dive Club.

'He was a very good guy and certainly typical sibling rivalry but when we got together at Christmas time and other occasions we all got on well.”

The cause of the accident is still being investigated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, and it was still not known whether Richard was at the controls.

No date for the funeral has been set, but it is understood the bodies have been released by South African officials.

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