Since my last post, I have found out what I didn't really want to know (from the New Zealand Herald website).
The deceased person is flying instructor, Neil Turner.
I had the pleasure of flying with Neil on four occasions earlier this year - including my first flights through Milford Sound and around Mount Aspiring.
On my last flight with him we called in to Wanaka for a quick look at the museum before returning to Queenstown, where he also organised a visit to the control tower.
Neil was a fine young man, and I can imagine the shock that you must be feeling across the Tasman.
Neil did me the honour of taking some photos for me while I was flying in that amazing part of the world.
I will now treasure them all the more.
I don't know the student who was on yesterday's flight, but my thoughts are with him too.