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The farmer who died from extensive burns suffered while fighting a bushfire at Nantawarra, north of Port Wakefield, has been remembered as a “wonderful man”.
Tributes flowed for 38-year-old father of two, Andrew Harrison, who many in the Mid North have likened to a hero.
Harrison, who was also a Country Fire Service volunteer, was on a farm fire unit trying to control the blaze.
He suffered burns to between 70 and 90 per cent of his body and was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he died on Friday night.
His wife, Kellie, described him as “the very best husband any girl could wish for and an absolute champion dad”.
“We know he just adored our family,” she said.
“Me and my boys, Thomas and Henry, will miss him immensely and it will be a long rough lonely road without him, but we know that we are loved and we know we have the support of an entire community.”
She said her husband died doing what he did best, which was caring and looking after people.
“We are very thankful for the multitude of texts, messages, calls and emails for support of our family,” she said.
“We are very blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends in our community of Balaklava.”
Mrs Harrison said the accident was tragic and that they didn’t blame anyone for her husband’s death.
“I would also like to thank the brave volunteer fire fighters who, I know, did everything they possibly could to get my husband home to me and my two beautiful boys,” she said.
Chief officer for the CFS, Greg Nettleton, said Harrison’s death was a tragic loss to the CFS community.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends during this difficult time," he said.
Two other men were injured at the bushfire and were treated at the Balaklava Hospital.
Police will prepare a report for the state coroner.