Two dead in Westport air crash

About 7.45am this morning 31/01/2013 Police were alerted to a 2 seater microlite aircraft that was reported overdue by family.

The RCC who have the responsibilty for aircraft searches commenced a SAR operation. Solid Energy Helicopter from Greymouth was dispatched, in the meantime a member of the public came across the crash site on the beach just south of Elley's Drive Carters Beach Westport about 9am and advised Police. The 2 men that were on the aircraft were found deceased - 1 in the wreckage and 1 nearby. The CAA will investigate the crash alongside the Police, and will report their findings to the Coroner.

The names of the two men killed in today's aircraft crash are;

Pilot, Roger Murray Smith, 58yrs, Westport
Passenger, Cole Ashby, 25yrs, Westport
ends

© Scoop Media

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