Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 15, 2020 13:57:38 GMT 12
Two dead and three seriously injured after helicopter crashes north of Kaikōura
Maia Hart Sam Sherwood and Steven Walton
14:43, Dec 15 2020
MAIA HART/STUFF
A helicopter has crashed north of Kaikōura, leaving two people dead and three injured.
Two people have died and three others are seriously injured after a helicopter crashed onto a rocky beach north of Kaikōura.
Emergency services were scrambled to the mouth of the Kekerengu River in Kekerengu, a small town in a remote area 30 kilometres north of Kaikōura.
Five people were on board at the time of the crash, police confirmed, after intially suggesting there were six.
A paramedic on the ground said the three people who were seriously injured are children.
They have since been airlifted to Wellington Hospital.
BRYA INGRAM/STUFF
A tractor is reported to have dragged the helicopter away from the shoreline.
Eyewitnesses described seeing the helicopter spiralling as it plummeted to the ground shortly at about 12.40pm on Tuesday.
Coastal Lodge owner Lyn Mehrtens said she was standing at her kitchen window when she saw the helicopter go down.
“I just saw the helicopter going round and round and it went down ... I think it must’ve gone in the water,” she said.
“My husband just took off. He said, ‘god I've got to go’.”
A staff member from The Store in Kekerengu said the helicopter was coming into land when it crashed onto the beach.
“The helicopter isn't in the sea, but it has been pulled away from the ocean by a tractor, as it was starting to smoke.”
BRYA INGRAM/STUFF
Three children were airlifted to Wellington Hospital after the crash, paramedics on the ground said.
She said locals had been amazing in their quick response to the crash.
“There are ambulances here, and police, and other helicopters.”
“Further details regarding the deceased and injured, including ages and genders, will not be released until all necessary family notifications have been carried out,” a police spokesman said.
BRYA INGRAM/STUFF
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter spiralling to the ground.
The Civil Aviation Authority and Transport Accident Investigation Commission have been advised.
A NZ Transport Agency spokeswoman said the crash was not connected to a nearby haere ra (farewell) from the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) to Kaikōura residents following the repairs to State Highway One following the 2016 earthquake.
The downed helicopter is thought to be an EC120, which is understood to have been overdue.
JOHN BISSET/STUFF
A helicopter has crashed north of Kaikōura. (File photo)
Three helicopters were called to the scene of the crash, one each from Christchurch, Nelson and Wellington, along with the fire brigade, police and ambulance services.
An ambulance from Kaikōura, an intensive care paramedic from Blenheim, and the Marlborough territory manager were also heading to the scene.
More to come.
www.stuff.co.nz/national/123711856/two-dead-and-three-seriously-injured-after-helicopter-crashes-north-of-kaikura
Maia Hart Sam Sherwood and Steven Walton
14:43, Dec 15 2020
MAIA HART/STUFF
A helicopter has crashed north of Kaikōura, leaving two people dead and three injured.
Two people have died and three others are seriously injured after a helicopter crashed onto a rocky beach north of Kaikōura.
Emergency services were scrambled to the mouth of the Kekerengu River in Kekerengu, a small town in a remote area 30 kilometres north of Kaikōura.
Five people were on board at the time of the crash, police confirmed, after intially suggesting there were six.
A paramedic on the ground said the three people who were seriously injured are children.
They have since been airlifted to Wellington Hospital.
BRYA INGRAM/STUFF
A tractor is reported to have dragged the helicopter away from the shoreline.
Eyewitnesses described seeing the helicopter spiralling as it plummeted to the ground shortly at about 12.40pm on Tuesday.
Coastal Lodge owner Lyn Mehrtens said she was standing at her kitchen window when she saw the helicopter go down.
“I just saw the helicopter going round and round and it went down ... I think it must’ve gone in the water,” she said.
“My husband just took off. He said, ‘god I've got to go’.”
A staff member from The Store in Kekerengu said the helicopter was coming into land when it crashed onto the beach.
“The helicopter isn't in the sea, but it has been pulled away from the ocean by a tractor, as it was starting to smoke.”
BRYA INGRAM/STUFF
Three children were airlifted to Wellington Hospital after the crash, paramedics on the ground said.
She said locals had been amazing in their quick response to the crash.
“There are ambulances here, and police, and other helicopters.”
“Further details regarding the deceased and injured, including ages and genders, will not be released until all necessary family notifications have been carried out,” a police spokesman said.
BRYA INGRAM/STUFF
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter spiralling to the ground.
The Civil Aviation Authority and Transport Accident Investigation Commission have been advised.
A NZ Transport Agency spokeswoman said the crash was not connected to a nearby haere ra (farewell) from the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) to Kaikōura residents following the repairs to State Highway One following the 2016 earthquake.
The downed helicopter is thought to be an EC120, which is understood to have been overdue.
JOHN BISSET/STUFF
A helicopter has crashed north of Kaikōura. (File photo)
Three helicopters were called to the scene of the crash, one each from Christchurch, Nelson and Wellington, along with the fire brigade, police and ambulance services.
An ambulance from Kaikōura, an intensive care paramedic from Blenheim, and the Marlborough territory manager were also heading to the scene.
More to come.
www.stuff.co.nz/national/123711856/two-dead-and-three-seriously-injured-after-helicopter-crashes-north-of-kaikura
