As bad weather halted efforts to recover more bodies from the chopper’s wreckage at Fox Glacier, on the west coast of the South Island, it was revealed no mayday was sent from the helicopter before Saturday’s crash.
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“They were very adventurous when it came to travel and this holiday was to be their last big adventure together”.
“Kath was a much respected member of staff who had worked at Addenbrooke’s for 23 years and she led the trust’s radiotherapy services with great professionalism, skill and pride”.
Reports in New Zealand said Mr Gameren was an experienced flyer.
Operation commander inspector John Canning said they were “determined to return these people to their families” but said they faced a “complex and technical task”.
The remote location and weather conditions hampered initial search attempts on Saturday, but NZ police said three bodies were eventually recovered by late Sunday. Four British and two Australian tourists, as well as their New Zealand pilot, died when the helicopter plunged into the heavily-crevassed glacier during bad weather. In addition, police had also been advised that the glacier was unstable and moving up to a metre a day, which could affect the operation. A spokesman said the recovery was “extremely challenging and the safety of those working at the scene is of paramount importance”.
The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are among the most popular sights on South Island, with helicopters tours and heli-hikes common ways of viewing the natural wonders.
She said that Mr Charlton was a “big fan” of trains who had built a signal box in their garden, which backed on to a railway line.
The operator said in a statement the pilot was “a very valued member of our team”.
Mr Northcote said a full probe into the accident could take 18 months, with the immediate hunt for clues on hold due to poor weather at the crash site.
The bodies of the three women on board the helicopter flight that crashed on Fox Glacier are among those recovered, police say. Alpine cliff rescue and victim identification teams were ready to go as soon as that opportunity arises, he said.
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The cause of the crash was not immediately known and aviation authorities were investigating.
