Two pest control contractors died in a helicopter crash near Paekākāriki Hill. Photo / Ethan Manera
Two pest control contractors died in a helicopter crash near Paekākāriki Hill. Photo / Ethan Manera
The two people killed in a helicopter crash in the Paekākāriki Hill area near Wellington last week have been named by police.
Cole Christopher Ritchie, 25, from Wharepapa South, and Joseph Mark Keeley, 54, from Tauhara were killed after their aircraft went down about 7.30am on Wednesday.
Kāpiti Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkinssaid the response was a highly co-ordinated, multi-agency effort, with emergency services, aviation authorities, local iwi and regional partners.
“The response demonstrated the strength of our interagency partnerships and the shared commitment to supporting one another and the community in difficult circumstances.”
Rescue choppers searched in the Paekākāriki Hill area for the downed craft. Image / Flight Radar
“I know that first responders, including two rescue helicopters, did everything they could to try and save lives and fight for a better outcome.”
He said this outcome would be “gutting for them” as well as people from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre, CAA and the Greater Wellington Regional Council involved.
