One killed in Lindis Pass helicopter crash

Lindis Pass. Photo / Supplied

One person has died and one person has critical injuries after a helicopter crash just east of Lindis Pass in Central Otago today.

St John Ambulance spokesperson Andy Gray said one person had died, and another, a man was being transported to Dunedin Hospital with critical injuries. It had not been confirmed if the deceased person was a male or female.

"The man who is injured has abdominal injuries and is critical," Gray said.

Steve Rendle from the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre said the Otago Rescue chopper was still on the scene and another chopper was on the way.

"The Aspiring rescue helicopter from Wanaka is on route with an alpine rescue team on board if it is needed," he said.

The weather in the area had been described as foggy around the time of the crash.

Police were alerted to the crash after an emergency beacon was activate shortly before 12.00pm.

Police have notified the Civil Aviation Authrity (CAA) of the crash.

Wreckage of a Alpine Adventures Scenic Flights Eurocopter 6 "Squirrel" helicopter at Fox Glacier. Photo / Supplied

Last November seven people - including six overseas tourists died - after an Alpine Adventures flight crashed on Fox Glacier.

Kiwi pilot Mitch Gameren, 28, and tourists Andrew Virco and his partner, Katharine Walker and Nigel Edwin Charlton and his wife, Cynthia - all from England - and Sovannmony Leang and Josephine Gibson - from Australia - died when the chopper plunged into a deep crevasse.

The cause of the tragedy is still being investigated.