Anzac crash survivor faces 'long haul' to recovery

Photo / NZ Herald

The sole survivor of yesterday's tragic Anzac Day helicopter crash should make a full recovery but faces a "long haul", the chief of air force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott, said today after a brief but emotional hospital visit.

Three crewmen died when their Iroquois helicopter hit a hill at Pukerua Bay, about 40km north of Wellington, as it headed from Ohakea air base to Wellington yesterday morning to take part in an Anzac Day dawn flypast.

One crewman survived but was badly hurt and had surgery overnight. He was in a stable condition at Wellington Hospital today with his parents and partner at his bedside.

AVM Lintott visited him briefly today but said he was not yet talking.

"He's heavily sedated because of the operation yesterday, but he's moving his arms and fingers and toes, and his eyes open occasionally, so we're all hopeful that it's on the up and up," AVM Lintott told media gathered at Wellington Hospital.

"But he's got a long way to go, he's pretty bashed up as you can imagine."

There appeared to be no impediments to a full recovery but it "could be a long haul", AVM Lintott said.

It had been an "emotional" visit.

"You look at that photograph - how anyone can survive that, that is miraculous. We're just so grateful we got one."

The crewman's family was in a state of shock but "in good enough spirits".

"They're pretty shook up, but they're very relieved to have him alive," AVM Lintott said.

"I guess they're the lucky end of this tragedy in that they've got a living son."

AVM Lintott passed on his condolences to the family.

"I just talked about how they were going and how they were coping, and offered all the support we possibly can for them."

A friend, a local officer and a welfare facilitator were with the family today.

Colleagues at Ohakea Air Base were also "shook up".

"I was there all day yesterday, and the team there is in shock, they're stunned, they're starting the grieving process."

It was unlikely crews were flying Iroquois today.

"I imagine we need to give our people a little bit of time to come to grips with this, so we wouldn't be doing routine training or anything."

The families of the dead - Flying Officer Daniel Stephen Gregory, 28, Corporal Benjamin Andrew Carson, 25, and Flight Lieutenant Hayden Peter Madsen, 33 - would meet this afternoon to discuss funeral arrangements.

"As far as we're concerned, it's for the families to choose the form of the funerals, where they are and when they are. And we'll just give every support we possibly can," AVM Lintott said.

- NZPA