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New Zealand helicopter crash: Two British couples killed New Zealand helicopter crash: Two British couples killed
(about 7 hours later)
Police in New Zealand have released the names of four British tourists killed in a helicopter crash. Police in New Zealand have named four British tourists killed in a helicopter crash on the Fox Glacier.
They are Andrew Virco, 50, and his partner Katharine Walker, 51, from Cambridge, and Nigel Charlton, 66, and his wife Cynthia, 70, from Hampshire. They are Andrew Virco, 50, and Katharine Walker, 51, from Cambridge, and Nigel and Cynthia Charlton, aged 66 and 70, from Romsey in Hampshire.
The aircraft crashed in a crevasse on the Fox Glacier, on New Zealand's South Island, on Saturday morning. The aircraft crashed in a crevasse on the glacier, on New Zealand's South Island, on Saturday morning.
The crash site is on the island's remote west coast, which is a popular tourist area.The crash site is on the island's remote west coast, which is a popular tourist area.
Also among the dead are Sovannmony Leang, 27, and Josephine Gibson, 29, both from New South Wales, and pilot Mitchell Gameren, 28, from Queenstown, New Zealand. Also among the dead are Sovannmony Leang, 27, and Josephine Gibson, 29, both from New South Wales, Australia, and pilot Mitchell Gameren, 28, from Queenstown, New Zealand.
Colleagues of Ms Walker, who was head of radiotherapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge are "devastated" by her death, Cambridge University Hospitals said.
A hospital spokesman said: "Kath was a much respected member of staff who had worked at Addenbrooke's for 23 years.
"We know many of our staff are going to be hit hard by this tragic news and we will be offering additional support for them."
The bodies of three of the victims have now been recovered from the crash site and taken to a temporary mortuary facility nearby for formal identification, which New Zealand Police said may take a number of days.The bodies of three of the victims have now been recovered from the crash site and taken to a temporary mortuary facility nearby for formal identification, which New Zealand Police said may take a number of days.
The recovery operation has been halted for the day after weather conditions at Fox Glacier deteriorated.The recovery operation has been halted for the day after weather conditions at Fox Glacier deteriorated.
'Extremely challenging''Extremely challenging'
Rescue teams in helicopters found no sign of survivors when they reached the crash site, rescue co-ordinators said. The cause of the crash is being investigated.Rescue teams in helicopters found no sign of survivors when they reached the crash site, rescue co-ordinators said. The cause of the crash is being investigated.
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 site is near the top of the glacier, it's all ice, it's not level and there are blocks of ice as big as buildings with crevasses between them," he said.
"There will be danger in getting teams into the area and traversing the area."
A Tasman police spokesman described the operation as "extremely challenging and the safety of those working at the scene is of paramount importance".A Tasman police spokesman described the operation as "extremely challenging and the safety of those working at the scene is of paramount importance".
He added: "Our thoughts are with the victims' families at this difficult time."He added: "Our thoughts are with the victims' families at this difficult time."
Inspector John Canning, the police west coast area commander, told New Zealand's One News: "It's at the top of the glacier and it is heavily crevassed, so very rough country and it is going to take a lot of care to get the people out of there."
The helicopter involved is believed to be a Eurocopter "Squirrel" operated by local firm Alpine Adventures, which also trades as Fox Glacier Heliservices.The helicopter involved is believed to be a Eurocopter "Squirrel" operated by local firm Alpine Adventures, which also trades as Fox Glacier Heliservices.
In a statement the firm said: "Fox Heliservices' thoughts are with the families of the passengers and pilot.In a statement the firm said: "Fox Heliservices' thoughts are with the families of the passengers and pilot.
"The pilot was a very valued member of our team. The New Zealand Police and Civil Aviation Authority have taken over the investigation.""The pilot was a very valued member of our team. The New Zealand Police and Civil Aviation Authority have taken over the investigation."
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are providing consular assistance to their families at this difficult time."A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are providing consular assistance to their families at this difficult time."