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Helicopter carrying seven people crashes on Fox Glacier in New Zealand Seven people killed in helicopter crash on Fox Glacier in New Zealand
(about 1 hour later)
A helicopter with seven people on board has crashed at a popular New Zealand tourism site, with blustery weather conditions hampering the search for survivors. Seven people are believed to have been killed when a helicopter crashed at a popular New Zealand tourist site, with weather conditions still preventing investigators access to the crash site.
The aircraft went down on Saturday morning at Fox Glacier in the South Island.
Police say none of the seven people aboard, including the pilot, are believed to have survived.
Recovery teams have still be unable to reach the wreckage, in a crevasse, due to difficult terrain. Next of kin are being notified, police say.
Four rescue helicopters have been sent to Fox Glacier on the remote west coast of the South Island, a New Zealand Rescue Co-Ordination Centre spokesman said.Four rescue helicopters have been sent to Fox Glacier on the remote west coast of the South Island, a New Zealand Rescue Co-Ordination Centre spokesman said.
A paramedic will be winched down to the crash site to assess the situation and a cliff rescue team is also being sent to the area.A paramedic will be winched down to the crash site to assess the situation and a cliff rescue team is also being sent to the area.
Weather conditions around the glacier are described as “terrible” with heavy rain and poor visibility.Weather conditions around the glacier are described as “terrible” with heavy rain and poor visibility.
“It wouldn’t be a good day to be flying helicopters,” Grey district mayor Tony Kokshoorn told the New Zealand Herald. “It wouldn’t be a good day to be flying helicopters,” Grey district mayor Tony Kokshoorn told the New Zealand Herald earlier on Saturday.
“Everything is against a rescue [mission]. It will be cold up there. And the problem is amplified by the cloud cover.“Everything is against a rescue [mission]. It will be cold up there. And the problem is amplified by the cloud cover.
“It is terrible,” he said. “We just have to wait and see if there are any survivors.”
Related: New Zealand plane crash kills nineRelated: New Zealand plane crash kills nine
The downed helicopter was reported to belong to a company called Alpine Adventures.The downed helicopter was reported to belong to a company called Alpine Adventures.
Fox Glacier is 13km long and is listed as one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.Fox Glacier is 13km long and is listed as one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.
A spokesman for the Transport Accident Investigation Commission says four investigators are heading to the scene and the first will arrive late on Saturday afternoon. A spokesman for New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission says four investigators are heading to the scene and the first will arrive late on Saturday afternoon.
In 2010 nine people were killed when a skydiving plane crashed at the end of the runway of Fox Glacier airport. Four were tourists and five were locals.In 2010 nine people were killed when a skydiving plane crashed at the end of the runway of Fox Glacier airport. Four were tourists and five were locals.