Tributes have been paid to a firefighter and his son after they lost their lives in a helicopter crash.

Paul Kennedy, aged 45, of Woodcotes, Shoebury, and 15-year-old Simon, who lived in Old Leigh with his mother, were killed when their aircraft plunged to the ground and erupted into a ball of flames.

Paul has been hailed a hero by eye-witnesses who said he steered the helicopter away from houses as it ran into difficulties shortly after take-off.

Flags are flying at half-mast at Southend Airport - where Paul worked as a fire officer and flying instructor - following the tragedy near the village of Cudham, south London, on Friday.

Paul's brother Keith fought back tears as he spoke of the family's devastation and said: "He shouldn't be dead and certainly not with his son."

Keith said "We had the horrible job of going up to the scene and we spoke to local people who saw what happened who called Paul a hero.

"He was obviously in difficulties and he struggled to bring the helicopter away from the houses. Lucky enough he managed to clear the houses and no one else was killed."

Paul was flying the Bell 206 Jet Ranger back to Direct Helicopters at the Southend School of Flying from Biggin Hill airfield when it crashed in a field.

Published Monday, January 20, 2003

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