Yesterday marked a tragic end, to the life of Sea World helicopter pilot, Ash Jenkinson, a flood hero last year performing a number of rescues and support flights in the first fortnight when residents were stranded, in outlying areas of Lismore, Ballina and Richmond Valley, such as Bungawalbin, Upper Wilsons Creek and Coraki.

Image provided courtesy of Ritchie Gregg: Ash Jenkinson ready to fly the Seaworld Helicopter full of lifesaving supplies during the floods

"Ash was a big guy, rugby sized you know, he looked kind of intimidating, but he was just a gentle giant, and the best bloke. We got on really well from the very beginning, and he was just so excited and happy to become a Dad, that's the most tragic thing, he leaves behind a young wife and baby. We just want to support them, and make sure they are OK, but will make sure to be setting up some fundraisers and supports, and will let the community know when that happens. Ash was a very experienced pilot and had trained many other newer pilots. During the floods the helicopter that he died in, was the same one he used, larger than any of the others in the air, to do the heroic work he did. This is a huge loss for our community." Close friend of Ash, Ritchie Gregg told the Lismore App today.

"He wanted to remain silent and anonymous about what he was doing during the floods, he was at the hangar each day at 4am and said 'just tell me where to go, and what is needed, I'll be in the air as long as I can' which is exactly what he did, some days flying 200km trips, back and forth, taking as much gear and picking up as many people as he could. One trip, on his way back, he went past the South Ballina Caravan Park where he saw all these people stranded, so he made sure he could get them all to safety, and kept going back until there was no one left." Ritchie reminisced.

Another community member, Colin Dixon who similar to us, was rescued by helicopter but had to leave the beloved family pets behind, worked with us to call for help, and was later rewarded when Ash delivered his two Great Danes into very grateful arms, told the Lismore App today "What a year 2022 was, so much emotional pain and material loss. The floods showed no mercy completely wiping us out.

"We spent many hours with our two Great Danes on the roof waiting to be rescued, when the helicopter arrived we had some short relief as we found out we would have to leave our precious pups on the roof.

"Over the next few days we were emotional wrecks thinking about our dogs and just wondering if they had managed to survive, I think it was around day four we found out someone was going by jet ski to our property, and feeding our fur babies, so then it was frantic calls and social media posts to find out how to get to them.

Then on day seven, a call came through that there was a crew that wanted to help out. They landed at Ballina airport to pick me up so that I could be there to comfort our dogs as they would be really stressed.

"Sitting with tears in my eyes, tears of joy, tears of relief, I remember the pilot telling me it was all good and soon I was going to be reunited with our pups and I was! We had a vet with us and we were able to sedate the dogs and put them on the chopper and bring them back to Ballina; through the whole operation, I remember that the pilot Ashley often looked at me to make sure I was OK and my partner Sharon and I will always be grateful to the whole team.

"Right now to hear the terrible tragic news that Ashley has died in an accident is devastating and my heart goes out to all the families involved and I say a thank you to the heavens for what he did to help with the rescue of our two beautiful Great Danes."

Lyndall Ann a superstar community member who was liaising with myself, Mark O'Toole Ritchie and Ash and others to coordinate and action many of these rescues and supply runs told the Lismore App "Ash did so many drops, pick-ups and hay runs. I would call with an address, he'd pick up supplies, drop them off, hay runs, evacuations. Life is heartbreaking sometimes."

She also shared on social media "An Angel of the sky. Ash, you helped us evacuate, deliver lifesaving aid and saved 2 Great Danes during the floods. My biggest heartfelt gratitude for what you gave our community during the floods. Sending our deepest condolences to your family. The world has lost a kind soul.

Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader and Ballina Shire Councillors expressed their deepest sympathies via social media and personal messages to close friends today saying "It is with great sadness that we learn of the tragic helicopter accident on the Gold Coast yesterday afternoon where Sea World's chief helicopter pilot Ashley 'Jenko' Jenkinson, and 3 passengers died.

With such a generous spirit, Jenko was our saviour in the skies during the 2022 floods. We send our deepest sympathy to his partner, son, loved ones and colleagues. We will be forever grateful to the courageous and big-hearted Jenko, who helped our community when we needed it."