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An Indonesian police spokesman holds up a picture of Glenn Malcolm Corning in the video.
photo: Indonesian police/provided
Family of New Zealand helicopter pilot Killed in Indonesia’s Papua region That he was the most loving and caring husband and father.
Glenn Malcolm Conning, 50, was killed by the pro-independence group Free Papua (OPM) when rebels rounded up those on board the helicopter, including four passengers, as it landed in a remote area of Central Papua province. The passengers were reportedly safe.
Natasha Conning released a statement on behalf of his family on Tuesday, saying he was deeply loved by his family and friends and that he cherished the time he had with them when he wasn’t flying or outdoors.
“We are heartbroken by this devastating loss.”
They said they appreciate everyone’s love and support but ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time.
Alumni of St. Peter’s School in Cambridge said Corning was an active athlete.
Alumni of St Peter’s posted their condolences on their Facebook page.
The post reads: “Glenn attended St Peter’s School from 1988 to 1991. In 1990 he was the Headmaster of Broadhurst College and was a very active athlete.”
It is said that Kangning was the captain of the under-65kg team in 1989 and later participated in the first league.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Glenn’s family and friends.”
Corning is transporting passengers for a private company.
Bayu Suseno, a spokesman for Papua police special operations, claimed his body was loaded onto a helicopter and then burned along with the aircraft in the Alama district, which is only accessible by helicopter.
OPM spokesman Sambom told the BBC that while the claims could not be verified, “if it is true then the pilot was a spy because we have declared the area a war zone”.
New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens poses with rebel prisoners in Indonesia’s Papua region.
photo: Provided by/TPNPB
In February 2023, separatist militants in Indonesia’s Papua region kidnapped another New Zealand pilot. Philipp MertensThe 37-year-old was arrested shortly after landing the plane in the remote Nduga Mountains to drop off passengers.
Since then, Mertens has been held captive by fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the OPM, who also attacked several Indonesian troops sent to rescue Mertens, killing at least one.
These hostilities occurred against the backdrop of a long-standing and often violent conflict between the Indonesian government and the indigenous peoples of West Papua.
Papua rebels, who have sought independence from Indonesia for decades, have previously issued threats and attacked planes they believed were carrying people and supplies to the country’s capital, Jakarta.
The region is divided into six provinces and was separated from independent Papua New Guinea.
West Papua, a former Dutch colony, declared independence in 1961. However, Indonesia took over the island two years later and formally gained control in a UN-supervised vote in 1969.
The UN vote was widely considered illegitimate because only about 1,000 Papuans participated. Soon after, a pro-independence movement began that continues to this day.
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