Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 28, 2017 13:02:15 GMT 12
Reefton man killed in helicopter crash on the West Coast
SAM SHERWOOD, MADDISON NORTHCOTT AND JOANNE CARROLL
Last updated 12:17, March 28 2017
The man who died in a helicopter crash on the West Coast was Noel Edward Wilson, known as Grumbles.
A Rescue Coordination Centre spokeswoman said they received a distress beacon at 6.45pm on Monday and a search and rescue helicopter was sent to the scene.
Wilson's helicopter, a Robinson R22, had crashed into a remote hilly area about 9 kilometres northeast of Reefton.
Searchers found one person dead when they arrived.
On Tuesday, Wilson's father, also named Noel, said the family had been notified of his son's death but had no further details from police.
Wilson, in his early 50s, was "an experienced pilot".
Friend Dawson Bliss said Wilson was a "true West Coaster".
"His gruff manner and quick wit humour won many friends. The saying 'a man amongst men' typified Grumbles."
Bliss and Wilson went on several flights together, and the pilot maintained his helicopter "more fastidiously than most".
"[He was] highly experienced in mountain flying where he had either been a pilot or shooter. He like me, lived off the land and was an expert bushman who was at ease in the mountains.
"He was a man that took no s... and gave no quarter but was a mate like no other."
On one of their flights together, while filming a documentary on Mount White Station, the pair were struggling to gain altitude as fast as a mob of deer so Wilson leaned out his door and shot a lead stag while still flying.
"'That slowed the bastards down' he dryly remarked over the intercom, as if it was the perfectly normal thing to do in the situation."
Locals said Wilson was a private, family-oriented man. He lived next door to his parents, and lived in Reefton all his life.
A police spokesperson said officers were guarding the crash site.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into the crash.
Two investigators are travelling from Wellington on Tuesday to begin their investigation.
- Stuff
SAM SHERWOOD, MADDISON NORTHCOTT AND JOANNE CARROLL
Last updated 12:17, March 28 2017
The man who died in a helicopter crash on the West Coast was Noel Edward Wilson, known as Grumbles.
A Rescue Coordination Centre spokeswoman said they received a distress beacon at 6.45pm on Monday and a search and rescue helicopter was sent to the scene.
Wilson's helicopter, a Robinson R22, had crashed into a remote hilly area about 9 kilometres northeast of Reefton.
Searchers found one person dead when they arrived.
On Tuesday, Wilson's father, also named Noel, said the family had been notified of his son's death but had no further details from police.
Wilson, in his early 50s, was "an experienced pilot".
Friend Dawson Bliss said Wilson was a "true West Coaster".
"His gruff manner and quick wit humour won many friends. The saying 'a man amongst men' typified Grumbles."
Bliss and Wilson went on several flights together, and the pilot maintained his helicopter "more fastidiously than most".
"[He was] highly experienced in mountain flying where he had either been a pilot or shooter. He like me, lived off the land and was an expert bushman who was at ease in the mountains.
"He was a man that took no s... and gave no quarter but was a mate like no other."
On one of their flights together, while filming a documentary on Mount White Station, the pair were struggling to gain altitude as fast as a mob of deer so Wilson leaned out his door and shot a lead stag while still flying.
"'That slowed the bastards down' he dryly remarked over the intercom, as if it was the perfectly normal thing to do in the situation."
Locals said Wilson was a private, family-oriented man. He lived next door to his parents, and lived in Reefton all his life.
A police spokesperson said officers were guarding the crash site.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into the crash.
Two investigators are travelling from Wellington on Tuesday to begin their investigation.
- Stuff
