Wellington New Zealand fatal crash
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From: Australia
Wellington New Zealand fatal crash
Wellington District police
Two people have died in a helicopter crash north of Wellington this morning.
Police were notified to the crash in the Paekākāriki Hill area at about 7.30am.
Tragically, both the pilot and the sole passenger were located deceased following the crash.
Our thoughts are with their families at this time.
Work is ongoing to recover the deceased and to examine the crash scene, which will be done in conjunction with investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority.
Cordons are in place at the Battle Hill campground – media and members of the public are asked to respect those cordons and follow the instructions of emergency services staff.
Police would like to thank our partner agencies who assisted in the response this morning, including Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Civil Aviation Authority and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Tragically, both the pilot and the sole passenger were located deceased following the crash.
Our thoughts are with their families at this time.
Work is ongoing to recover the deceased and to examine the crash scene, which will be done in conjunction with investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority.
Cordons are in place at the Battle Hill campground – media and members of the public are asked to respect those cordons and follow the instructions of emergency services staff.
Police would like to thank our partner agencies who assisted in the response this morning, including Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Civil Aviation Authority and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 29th January 2026 at 05:00. Reason: Quote and hyperlink
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 15
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From: Tauranga, New Zealand
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...ol-contractors
Both thepilot and a passenger died in the crash near Paekākāriki Hill on Wednesday morning.
The Transport Agency has now confirmed the two people were pest control contractors and Worksafe has been notified. A witness had earlier told RNZ he understood the helicopter was involved in goat culling in the area.
The Transport Agency is providing support to those affected by the crash.
Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins said earlier on Thursday that a significant recovery operation took place to recover both victims from the crash site.
"Police are working to formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered, but are unable to do so at this stage of the investigation," Inspector Perkins said.
"Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time."
A witness, who was first to reach the crash, said he was checking a body for vital signs as the Westpac rescue chopper arrived.
He said he could not find any sign of life before he made the call to get clear of the aircraft.
The man said the Westpac crew soon spotted another body in thick scrub, on steep terrain some distance from the wreckage.
Cordons remain in place around the Battle Hill campground while police examine the scene.
Civil Aviation Authority investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination.
Pilot, passenger killed in Paekākāriki Hill helicopter crash were pest control contractors
Two people who died in a helicopter crash near Wellington were pest control contractors working on Transmission Gully.Both thepilot and a passenger died in the crash near Paekākāriki Hill on Wednesday morning.
The Transport Agency has now confirmed the two people were pest control contractors and Worksafe has been notified. A witness had earlier told RNZ he understood the helicopter was involved in goat culling in the area.
The Transport Agency is providing support to those affected by the crash.
Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins said earlier on Thursday that a significant recovery operation took place to recover both victims from the crash site.
"Police are working to formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered, but are unable to do so at this stage of the investigation," Inspector Perkins said.
"Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time."
A witness, who was first to reach the crash, said he was checking a body for vital signs as the Westpac rescue chopper arrived.
He said he could not find any sign of life before he made the call to get clear of the aircraft.
The man said the Westpac crew soon spotted another body in thick scrub, on steep terrain some distance from the wreckage.
Cordons remain in place around the Battle Hill campground while police examine the scene.
Civil Aviation Authority investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination.
