The Birdsville Hotel has paid tribute to a pioneering pilot and his son who were tragically killed in the Kangaroo Island fires on Saturday January 4.
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Pioneering bush pilot 'Desert Dick' Lang, 78, and his youngest son Clayton Lang, 43, one of Adelaide's leading plastic and reconstructive surgeons; were trapped by flames while returned to the family property after fighting the blaze for two days.
The Birdsville Hotel owners took to Facebook to express their sympathy of "a special friend of the entire Outback."
"Dick Lang and his son Clayton tragically lost the battle with the fire that has ravaged Kangaroo Island and we offer our sincerest condolences to the entire Lang family," the post said.
"Dick was one of the country's finest bush pilots who forged his way into outback tourism with strength, professionalism, dignity and a passion for our outback region that cannot be compared to anyone else in his time.
"Dick Lang's captains hat hangs on the wall in our front bar with pride and will now respectfully be located on our western wall with others who have sadly past but are not to be forgotten."
Dick and Clayton's bodies were found on the Playford Highway near Gosse on Saturday.
One person died in the vehicle, while the other was found some distance away on the highway. The vehicle appeared to towing a trailer with firefighting equipment.
On the day of the tragedy, police broke the news to locals causing a gasp among the hundreds gathered in the Kingscote Town Hall.
"There was then audible sobbing as the news sunk in among the crowd, many whom had lost everything. A minute of silence was held at the end of the meeting in the victims' honour," the family said.
"Dick and Clayton were prominent members of the South Australian community who rose to the top in their chosen professions."
Known as "Desert Dick", Mr Lang was a pioneering bush pilot and safari operator who opened up the outback to travellers from Australia and overseas.
He first offered 4WD adventures in 1965, later adding aircraft trips to all corners of Australia and other countries, from Papua New Guinea to Africa.
"He loved the bush, he loved adventure and he loved Kangaroo Island," the family said.
They said Clayton, one of Mr Lang's four sons, was one of Adelaide's leading plastic and reconstructive surgeons, specialising in hand surgery.
He was supervisor of surgical training and clinical lead of hand surgery at Adelaide's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
