Hughes 500 missing Canterbury NZ
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Hughes 500 missing Canterbury NZ
Chopper crash in Canterbury: search halted for today
The search for helicopter that crashed near Lake Sumner in North Canterbury will resume at first light tomorrow.
The Westpac rescue helicopter has been searching the remote area for signs of the helicopter, which was believed to have crashed into the lake this afternoon.
Police said they were contacted just before 3pm by the Department of Conservation which reported a Hughes 500 chopper may have crashed near Breaksea Bay on Lake Sumner.
The helicopter is believed to be one of two owned by a Rangiora helicopter operator, and both had been spraying weeds in the vicinity of the lake.
One helicopter was reported overdue, and the second helicopter returned to the area to search for the missing machine.
It was reported that debris had been sighted in the lake, around 150 metres offshore from Breaksea Bay.
The pilot was believed to be the only occupant of the overdue helicopter.
Police were not releasing any details of the missing pilot at this stage.
Police search and rescue staff were this afternoon en route to the location, which is in a remote bush area accessible only by four-wheel drive.
Officers will remain at the scene overnight, and a full ground and water search will commence at first light tomorrow.
DoC fire officer Brian Taylor told The Press he was working with the helicopter at the time of the crash.
"We were just doing some weed spraying."
Taylor said it was a remote area and he assumed rescue crew would fly in to reach the scene.
A DoC spokeswoman said the helicopter was spraying broom and gorse on conservation land around the north branch of the Hurunui River.
The Westpac rescue helicopter has been searching the remote area for signs of the helicopter, which was believed to have crashed into the lake this afternoon.
Police said they were contacted just before 3pm by the Department of Conservation which reported a Hughes 500 chopper may have crashed near Breaksea Bay on Lake Sumner.
The helicopter is believed to be one of two owned by a Rangiora helicopter operator, and both had been spraying weeds in the vicinity of the lake.
One helicopter was reported overdue, and the second helicopter returned to the area to search for the missing machine.
It was reported that debris had been sighted in the lake, around 150 metres offshore from Breaksea Bay.
The pilot was believed to be the only occupant of the overdue helicopter.
Police were not releasing any details of the missing pilot at this stage.
Police search and rescue staff were this afternoon en route to the location, which is in a remote bush area accessible only by four-wheel drive.
Officers will remain at the scene overnight, and a full ground and water search will commence at first light tomorrow.
DoC fire officer Brian Taylor told The Press he was working with the helicopter at the time of the crash.
"We were just doing some weed spraying."
Taylor said it was a remote area and he assumed rescue crew would fly in to reach the scene.
A DoC spokeswoman said the helicopter was spraying broom and gorse on conservation land around the north branch of the Hurunui River.
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Pilot named
Police have identified the pilot missing following a helicopter crash at Lake Sumner yesterday.
He was Michael Graeme Mehrtens, aged 35, of Rangiora, an employee of Way To Go Heliservices.
Mehrtens was the only occupant of the helicopter which is believed to have crashed in the lake near Breaksea Bay.
Mehrtens joined Way To Go Heliservices primarily as an agricultural pilot, with 3500 hours of helicopter flying time.
The Way to Go website said much of Mehrten's experience was gained in Australia.
Police said that a small amount of debris, believed to be from the helicopter, was recovered in the search area today.
An oil slick was located in deep water offshore from Breaksea Bay this morning, but the machine has not yet been located.
Land and water search teams are continuing the search operation this afternoon.
It is understood Mehrten's helicopter had been contracted by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to spray gorse when it went down at the northern end of Lake Sumner about 2.50pm yesterday.
A DOC spokesman last night said he had "very few details of the incident".
"All we know is that the helicopter was one of two that were doing gorse and broom spraying in that area,'' he said. ''It's my understanding that wreckage was seen just after 4pm."
The area is part of the Lake Sumner Conservation Park.
He was Michael Graeme Mehrtens, aged 35, of Rangiora, an employee of Way To Go Heliservices.
Mehrtens was the only occupant of the helicopter which is believed to have crashed in the lake near Breaksea Bay.
Mehrtens joined Way To Go Heliservices primarily as an agricultural pilot, with 3500 hours of helicopter flying time.
The Way to Go website said much of Mehrten's experience was gained in Australia.
Police said that a small amount of debris, believed to be from the helicopter, was recovered in the search area today.
An oil slick was located in deep water offshore from Breaksea Bay this morning, but the machine has not yet been located.
Land and water search teams are continuing the search operation this afternoon.
It is understood Mehrten's helicopter had been contracted by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to spray gorse when it went down at the northern end of Lake Sumner about 2.50pm yesterday.
A DOC spokesman last night said he had "very few details of the incident".
"All we know is that the helicopter was one of two that were doing gorse and broom spraying in that area,'' he said. ''It's my understanding that wreckage was seen just after 4pm."
The area is part of the Lake Sumner Conservation Park.
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Very Sad
Mike was a great guy, a good pilot and always had a laugh. He was a really easy going bloke.
Always enjoyed catching up with him for a beer or two.
Sincere condolences to his wife, Penny and his baby girl, Olivia.
Always enjoyed catching up with him for a beer or two.
Sincere condolences to his wife, Penny and his baby girl, Olivia.
