Source: Radio New Zealand
Police at the helicopter crash in Paekākāriki Hill on Wednesday. RNZ/Samuel Rillstone
Police have recovered the bodies from a fatal helicopter crash north of Wellington.
The crash happened near Paekākāriki Hill on Wednesday morning.
Both the pilot and a passenger were found dead.
Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins said in an update on Thursday that a significant recovery operation took place to recover both victims from the crash site.
“Police are working to formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered, but are unable to do so at this stage of the investigation,” Inspector Perkins said.
“Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time.”
The area where a helicopter crashed on Wednesday. RNZ/Samuel Rillstone
A witness told RNZ he understood the helicopter was involved in goat culling in the area.
The man, who was first to reach the crash, said he was checking a body for vital signs as the Westpac rescue chopper arrived.
He said he could not find any sign of life before he made the call to get clear of the aircraft.
The man said the Westpac crew soon spotted another body in thick scrub, on steep terrain some distance from the wreckage.
Cordons remain in place around the Battle Hill campground while police examine the scene.
Civil Aviation Authority investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
