FORMER Harrow resident Andrew Wight was making his name as a world-renowned film writer and producer when he was killed in a helicopter crash near Nowra on Saturday.
Mr Wight, 52, who lived in Culcairn, north of Albury, with his wife Monica and baby son, Ted, was a keen pilot, diver and explorer.
He had been flying his Robinson R44 helicopter with American film-maker Mike deGruy, 60, aboard when it crashed while taking off from an airstrip south of Berry, killing both men.
The pair had been working with Oscar-winning director James Cameron and National Geographic on a documentary film.
Mr Wight wrote and produced last year's 3D blockbuster film Sanctum.
Long-time Harrow neighbour Angus Law yesterday paid tribute to Mr Wight, describing him as delightful, engaging, intelligent and resourceful.
Mr Law, 62, grew up at Harrow, next door to the Wight family farm 'Tarqua' and lived at Harrow until five years ago when he relocated to Hamilton.
"Andrew was a fair bit younger than me, about 10 years, but when he'd come back to Harrow, we'd catch up and have a few beers," Mr Law said.
"I was fascinated by his practical knowledge, his diving and adventures.
"I didn't see a lot of him as such, he was always away, but he was just a champion fella."
Mr Law said his former neighbour was a good horseman who had studied agricultural science and loved cave diving and exploring.
"To stand at the bar with him and have a chat was fascinating," Mr Law said.
"I absolutely enjoyed his company, I can't say how saddened I am."
Wight spoke to The Border Mail in January last year, on the eve of the premiere of Sanctum in Los Angeles, where he stood alongside Cameron, who was the film's executive producer.
An Emmy nominee and Australian adventurer of the year medal winner, Wight had successfully pitched to Cameron the idea of the thriller about an underwater diving expedition that goes horribly wrong, while working on the latter's 3D IMAX and television specials.
Cameron, director of Titanic and Avatar, said that Wight and deGruy were like family to him.
"They were my deep sea brothers, and both were true explorers who did extraordinary things and went places no human being has been,'' he said.
"Andrew was kind and loyal, full of life and a sense of fun, and above all, a careful planner who stressed safety to everyone on his team every single day.
"It is cruelly ironic that he died flying a helicopter, which was second nature to him, like driving a car would be to most people."
Last month Wight was introduced to the media as the general manager of a new Melbourne office for Cameron Pace, the 3D production company owned by Cameron and Vince Pace.
The office was a first for Cameron's group outside the US.
Email a friend