Funeral for helicopter pilot shot down by poachers

Roger Gower Credit: Tropic Air Kenya

The funeral will be held today for a helicopter pilot from Edgbaston who was shot down by elephant poachers in Tanzania.

The 37-year-old was helping authorities in the country track the criminals when his aircraft was fired upon in January.

A picture of the helicopter wreckage was posted on Facebook by charity Wildlife At Risk.

He brought the helicopter down in a game reserve near the Serengeti National Park but died from his injuries before rescuers were able to get to him.

Mr Gower qualified as a pilot in 2004 and moved to Africa around two years later - aiding Tanzania's struggle against illegal ivory.