Daring Pilot's Ocean Leap Saves Him from New Zealand Volcano Eruption

A helicopter pilot testified in court that he and two passengers escaped serious injury by jumping into the ocean when a New Zealand volcano erupted in 2019, killing 22. Two other passengers suffered serious burns after being engulfed by a cloud of hot ash. The pilot, Brian Depauw, testified in the trial of three tourism companies and three directors charged with safety breaches. Depauw stated that the water saved them, and he had decided it was safer to head towards the water when the volcano erupted. The trial, which involves charges of safety breaches, will resume on Monday.