Three people were killed and another seriously injured after an Air Force iroquois helicopter crashed into a farm north of Wellington early this morning.
Police confirmed that the Anzac Day crash happened about 6.45am. The wreckage was found on a farm, off Paekakariki Hill Rd and near Pukerua Bay.
Four people were onboard. A Wellington Free Ambulance spokeswoman said three people were dead.
A fourth person was been transported by ambulance to Wellington Hospital, where the man was in a serious but stable condition, a hospital spokesperson said.
The Defence Force confirmed the RNZAF iroqouis was one of three from Ohakea Air Base going to Wellington for a Anzac Day service.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Kapiti Mana police area commander Inspector John Spence, said initially the crash site was "very difficult to find.”
"It is a very, very sad day.
"This is an extremely poignant time for us, especially those in the Defence Force…
"This has happened on a special day for New Zealand."
He praised the efforts of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter who through some "pretty impressive flying" were able to winch a paramedic to the scene to confirm that three had died and one man was still alive.
"Initially we were only able to winch people in and out. The first priority was to see if anyone was alive."
Mr Spence said the scene was made harder to access because of low cloud and police, along with rescue services, were "still in a phase of trying to get in to the scene."
It was hoped a farm track would be accessible by four-wheeled drive vehicles; however the actual crash scene was in a steep ravine.
Mr Spence said he believed planned Anzac Day services would run as normal throughout the country.
He said next-of-kin were still in the process of being informed.
A HeliPro pilot, Ned Lee, who had flown over the crash scene said he was surprised anyone had survived.
He said the helicopter was upside down on the hillside and severly damaged.
Defence Force communications director Commander Phil Bradshaw said in a statement there would be no official comment until the force had established what happened.
Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area and had been using the beach adjacent to the hills and State Highway 1 to transport the injured to an ambulance.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS
Kirsty Sullivan, who lives at Raumati Beach, said she was awoken when the iroquois passed over her beachfront home.
"They were all flying quite low, but were flying west of my house, over the beach, away from any trees or tall buildings, except for one.”
"We are one of the taller buildings in my area (3 storeys) and the iroquois was probably about 30 metres east and 10 metres above my house."
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She said the mist was worst at around 6am when a previous iroquois passed her home.
Pukerua Bay resident Kathy McLauchlan said she could see the crash site from her window.
Weather conditions at the time of the crash were "extremely misty", she said.
"Since the mist has lifted we can see it."
Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area.
The crash happened quite high on the hills overlooking Pukerua Bay, Ms McLauchlan said.
TRAGIC YEAR
The crash further mars a tragic year for the Air Force.
In January, Squadron Leader Nicholas Haydn Cree, 32, a flight commander at the central training school, died when his CT4 Airtrainer crashed near Ohakea.
Sqn Ldr Cree was one of five members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Red Checkers aerobatic team practising a stunt, when he crashed.