Tribute paid to popular DJ killed in helicopter crash (From Croydon Guardian)

Tributes pour in for popular Croydon DJ Matthew Wood killed in helicopter crash

11:05am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By Andrew Bloss

Matthew Wood was a well known DJ in Croydon

A man killed in a helicopter crash in Nine Elms was a popular pub DJ.

Matthew Wood, 39, was killed in the crash last Wednesday as he walked to his office in Wandsworth Road.

Mr Wood, who was described as a ‘big guy with a big heart’ by his family, was also a well known DJ in Croydon, mainly for his sets at The Ship pub.

Esther Sutton, who was in charge of The Ship before becoming the landlady at the Green Dragon about seven years ago, said Mr Wood was well liked.

She said: "He was very well known DJ on the Croydon alternative scene for quite a number of years and lot of people know him and love him."

"When I was in charge at The Ship he used to DJ in there. It was more of a working relationship.

"But there are so many of my friends and regulars who know him much better than me and speak highly of him."

Amanda Wood, his sister, said he was a huge heavy metal fan and he loved performing in venues in Croydon, including the Black Sheep.

Mr Wood, from Brunswick Road, Sutton, who worked for pest control firm Rentokil, was killed when a helicopter travelling in dense fog fell to the ground after hitting a crane just before 8am.

A post mortem gave his cause of death as severe burns and leg injury. An inquest will open in due course.

Helicopter pilot captain Peter Barnes was also killed in the crash, and thirteen people injured.

Mr Wood's brother Darren, 35, texted him just before 8am to reassure him about his 11 month old nephew who was in hospital.

However, when his family tried to contact Mr Wood again his phone was off. Mr Wood, a former Carshalton Boys School pupil, lived with his two cats which his sister described as his surrogate babies.