Two people were killed in a helicopter crash in remote terrain northwest of Queenstown yesterday during a chartered hunting trip in Mount Aspiring National Park.
Heli-tour operators, Alpine Group Limited, named the two men as pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash at around 9.50am on Sunday, with the aircraft crashing into a mountainside in rugged alpine terrain in Otago’s backcountry.
In a statement, police confirmed the helicopter was chartered for a hunting expedition at the time of the crash.
"The two people who died were the sole occupants of the craft at the time," Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh said.
"Three others from the hunting group were located on the ground and taken to safety."
On Monday afternoon, Alpine Group Limited confirmed one of its aircraft was involved in the accident in the upper Te Naihi River, South Westland.
"We are devastated to confirm that both pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach were tragically killed. Both were highly experienced and valued members of a close-knit team.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time. We respectfully ask the media to respect the privacy of the families as they process this.
"The aircraft was conducting a guided hunting operation in clear and calm conditions at the time of the accident."
Alpine Group expressed its sincere thanks to police, Rescue Coordination Centre, Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, the Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue team, and all emergency services "for their swift, professional, and clinical response to the accident".
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority are currently investigating the accident.
"We have confidence in those investigations and will cooperate fully to determine exactly what happened," Alpine Group said.
Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination Centre initially led the response to the crash, working alongside police and air ambulance services to coordinate the operation.
"We want to thank the agencies that provided support during this response. This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts go out to everyone impacted by what happened this morning."
Waugh said the deaths had been referred to the Coroner.
TAIC said its chief investigator of accidents had appointed a team of investigators.
"They travelled to the region this morning and will go to the accident site as soon as practicable."
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