One of the Australian victims killed in the volcanic eruption off New Zealand has been named as Sydney father Chris Cozad.

Mr Cozad was evacuated from the devastating incident on White Island and died five days later, becoming the 16th death, with his identity confirmed today.

The official death toll now sits at 19. The 43-year-old was on Ovation of the Seas cruise ship celebrating his 20-year wedding anniversary with his family when the disaster occurred.

“I will forever treasure every second I got to spend with him, the values he has instilled within me and the love he showered me, my sisters and my mum in,” Mr Cozad’s daughter Emily said in a post on social media.

“He is someone I will forever look up to and he will be so so so missed. He was and forever will be, the most perfect dad.”


so sad so cruel  RIP..Chris,