Southland Times report
Man dies in helicopter crash
A Waimumu man was killed today (Friday) when his helicopter crashed into scrub on a farm near Wyndham.
Anthony John Bell, a pilot for Inglewood-based company Helicopter Services Ltd, was the sole occupant of the Bell-204 UH1B Iroquois.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said initial reports indicated the helicopter suffered an in-flight break-up.
Police said they received a call at 9am from a person who said a helicopter had "fallen out of the sky".
The crash happened 12km southeast of Wyndham. The helicopter came to rest on a scrub covered bank about 300m from the Wyndham-Mokoreta Road.
Mr Bell was returning home from Waikawa after completing work under contract for Mainland Minerals.
Debris from the helicopter was scattered over about a kilometre.
A rotor blade came to rest on paddocks above the bank while what was believed to be the gear box was found embedded near a roadside fence.
Police said the accident was witnessed by four people.
Brian McLennan, of Gore, who was competing at dog trials nearby, was one of the first on the scene.
When he got to the crash site he heard voices in the scrub and initially thought the pilot was alive, he said. However, it was two other witnesses.
Mr McLennan said he pulled Mr Bell's body from the wreckage, concerned the helicopter might catch fire.
There appeared nothing out of the ordinary with the sound of the helicopter as it flew overhead. However, shortly afterwards Mr McLennan realised it was in trouble when it started spiralling to the ground.
"There was metal flying everywhere before it went down."
The helicopter appeared to have hit the bank and rolled, Mr McLennan said.
Mr Bell's wife, Jan, said the family was shocked by the accident. Her husband had been flying for 12 years and loved it, she said.
Helicopter Services owner Brett Emeny, of Inglewood, said Mr Bell had been with the company "a long time".
"He was a very experienced, high quality pilot," he said.
"I couldn't speak highly enough of him."
Mr Emeny, who arrived in Gore yesterday, said he was not prepared to comment on the crash until he had more information following an official investigation.
Mainland Minerals Otago-Southland manager Gavin Keith said news of the accident was a huge shock.
He had known Mr Bell for a long time and described him as a really good pilot.
The TAIC investigation will be headed by Christchurch-based investigator John Goddard.
Police said three members of the RNZAF, who have specialist knowledge of the Bell Iroquois heavy-lift helicopter, would also be involved in the investigation.
Very sad. Our sympathy to his family and friends.