DATE: 28 APRIL 2011 TIME: 11.15am (NZDT)

Missing helicopter found

Searchers have located the wreckage of a Robinson R22 helicopter missing since yesterday afternoon in Mt Aspiring National Park. Two men on board the helicopter have been found dead at the scene.

Wanaka Police are now handling the recovery of the men’s bodies.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) search and rescue mission coordinator Keith Allen said the wreckage was located about 9am today on the Arawhata Saddle, at the head of the Matukituki River, about 50km north-west of Wanaka, during an aerial search.

Mr Allen said the fact the aircraft had also carried two forms of emergency locator equipment had greatly assisted the search, with tracking technology used on board the various helicopters able to detect this and then narrow down the search area.

“Our thoughts are now with the families of both men.”

Mr Allen also acknowledged all involved in the search, including Police, a specialist alpine cliff rescue team and five helicopter companies from around the lower South Island.

The helicopter was on a training flight from Wanaka to Haast and back, with a trainee pilot and instructor on board. The helicopter belonged to Wanaka Helicopters. It was due back around 1pm yesterday (Wednesday 27 April).

RCCNZ launched a search operation just after 3pm when the alarm was raised.

The search today focused on an area about three kilometres south-west of the last known position of the helicopter, which was near Bow Peak in the Waipara Saddle.

Helicopters searching with night vision equipment last night picked up faint signals from an emergency locator beacon in this area.

Please note – all further queries should be directed to the Wanaka Police.

ENDS

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