A MAN killed by the burning wreckage of a helicopter crash as he walked to work has been named as Matthew Wood from Sutton.
The 39-year-old was making his way to the Vauxhall office of Rentokil when the helicopter hit a crane and crashed into the street.
An investigation is now under way into why the helicopter hit the crane at One St George Wharf, in South Lambeth, on Wednesday morning. The crash, in heavy fog, also killed pilot Pete Barnes and injured 12 people.
Cars and two buildings caught fire after the helicopter wreckage and part of the crane fell into Wandsworth Road. Mr Wood was walking to his office in Wendle Court, when he was killed.
Alan Brown, CEO of Rentokil Initial, said: "Matt was 39 years old and had worked for Rentokil as an administrative team leader since 2003. He was well known to all of us who visited the Vauxhall office, including myself.
"He was in every respect a warm and generous man and the cornerstone of our team in Vauxhall.
"We extend our deepest sympathy to Matt's family and our colleagues in Vauxhall who will be deeply affected by this accident."
Mr Wood's sister Amanda told the Daily Mail: "He was a big friendly giant, the nicest possible guy. He would always put people before himself. Although he didn't have children of his own, he had many godchildren who he loved.
"Matt was going to turn 40 in April and was planning his birthday celebrations. We're all in shock, we lost our father this time last year so my mother is struggling."
The pilot, Capt Pete Barnes, 50, had flown for Redhill firm Rotormotion for 15 years. Colleagues described him as "highly skilled". He had asked to be diverted to a nearby heliport because of bad weather in the lead-up to the crash.
