Inspector Darren Hopkins has spoken to The Examiner on many occasions because of his role with Tasmania Police, but on Tuesday he did something out of his comfort zone - he shared a personal story.
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March 12 was the inspector's first day back at work since his light plane caught fire while in the air in October.
Inspector Hopkins was forced to jump from the plane.
"It was a horrible feeling knowing I was either going to crash because I couldn’t see out the windows because they all glazed over with the heat, or I was just going to burn in the cockpit before I got down," he said.
He suffered burns to 34 per cent of his body, but his fighting spirit, positive attitude, and - according to those close to him - stubbornness helped him through the initial stages of his recovery.
Less than five months after the crash Inspector Hopkins has returned to the very familiar walls at the Launceston police station in a part-time capacity.
He said he was humbled by the messages of support from friends, family and strangers, and thanked everyone for the well wishes.
The Examiner's reporter Sarah Aquilina and photographer Scott Gelston caught up with him on his first day back on the job. Read the full story here.
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