Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Mike Richards said he was unable to confirm whether any of those on board were dead.
Advertisement
A helicopter carrying seven people has reportedly crashed at New Zealand tourist destination Fox Glacier.
A paramedic is on board one of the rescue choppers, and will be winched down to the crash scene, Vince Cholewa of the Rescue Coordination Centre said. He said the area where the helicopter crashed was filled with crevasses and treacherous terrain, which was complicating their efforts.
“We are still piecing together all the details – once confirmed we will put out a statement”, he said.
WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan confirmed there were low clouds in the area, which “could certainly be an issue”.
“A helicopter has crashed off Fox Glacier”.
The helicopter is reported to belong to Alpine Adventures, which is one of many companies that run helicopter and private charter sight-seeing trips around the glacier for tourists.
September 2011: A Skydive New Zealand Cessna 185 plane flipped onto its nose while landing near Fox Glacier.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an investigation.
Owner James Scott said at the time he didn’t yet know what caused the crash.
June 2015: Pilot Brad Maclachlan sustained serious injuries when his helicopter crashed trapping him in the cockpit shortly after picking up two hunters, who received minor injuries, near Poerua Glacier, Westland.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has begun an enquiry.
Fox Glacier is a 13km glacier on the west coast of the South Island.
Advertisement
In 2008, three people survived a plane crash at Fox Glacier. Two passengers managed to get out of the wreckage.
