NZ soldiers rescue plane crash victims

A New Zealand Defence force helicopter. File photo / NZDF

Members of the New Zealand Defence Force rescued passengers from a plane crash in Papua New Guinea.

According to Australian media reports, at least three people were killed when an Hevilift twin otter crashed near Mt Lawes, just north of Port Moresby, on Saturday.

It is unclear how many people were on board when it crashed, with reports indicating either eight or nine.

According to Radio New Zealand, members of the New Zealand Defence Force were training near the crash site and were able to reach it after being alerted.

Central Province police commander Asi Laimo told Radio New Zealand the crash survivors were lucky the Kiwi defence staff were nearby.

"They heard the big bang. There was a loud noise, crash, a big bang and then they contacted our national aviation here at the Port Moresby Jackson Airport and then they were informed that it was actually a crash.

"They got there and located the area where the accident occurred."

An Australian man and two Papua New Guinea nationals - the flight co-pilot and a passenger - were killed.

The surviving passengers were taken to hospital in Port Moresby.

Hevilift said in a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that it would be "conducting a thorough investigation" and was "cooperating with all relevant authorities to determine the cause".

The flight was on its way to the capital from Woitape in Goilala district.

William Seneka, a senior investigator with PNG's Accident Investigation Commission, said weather was believed to have been a factor in the crash.

- Staff reporter