Search underway for missing helicopter in Nelson region

A search is underway for a helicopter which went missing on a flight between Karamea, on the West Coast, and Nelson this morning.

The helicopter, with one man onboard, left Karamea with another helicopter to make the flight for routine maintenance. Its last known position, at around 8am, was over steep bush-covered terrain in Kahurangi National Park.

It should have been the first to arrive in Nelson, and the alarm was raised by the second helicopter when it landed. No emergency distress beacon signal has been received, but searching is being carried out in an area 25km west of Motueka, based the last known position of the aircraft.

The Garden City Nelson Rescue Helicopter began searching at around 10am, and the Garden City Greymouth Rescue Helicopter has since been sent to the area to assist.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) search and rescue mission controller Greg Johnston said weather conditions in the area were windy but clear.

“We understand there was no communication between the two helicopters during the flight, and they were not in sight of one another. The terrain is very challenging but the rescue helicopters from Nelson and Greymouth are focussing on an area based on information from the aircraft’s tracking system.”

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