Search for missing chopper to resume

The search for a helicopter and two crew missing in Southland will resume this morning after searchers with night vision equipment failed to find the aircraft last night.

The Robinson R22 has not been heard from since 1.30pm and was reported overdue 45 minutes later.

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre yesterday directed searchers to cover a 1250sq km area in the Awarua region, near Bluff, with police and Coastguard air and marine vessels helping in the operation.

Two helicopter crews called off their searches about 10pm yesterday, while another continued searching with night vision equipment late into the night.

The R22 is understood to have been on a training flight with an instructor and pilot on board.

No beacon went off and there had been no further communication with the helicopter, Maritime New Zealand spokesman Nick Churchouse said.

Searchers were none the wiser as to where the helicopter was at or what had happened, he said.

- NZPA