A pilot and his guide have been named as the victims in a helicopter crash in Mt Aspiring National Park.
Alpine Helicopters today confirmed pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach were killed while the aircraft was conducting a guided hunting operation.
They were the only two people on board. Three others from the hunting group were on the ground.
“We are devastated to confirm that both pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach were tragically killed,” Alpine Group Limited said in a statement to the Herald.
“Both were highly experienced and valued members of a close-knit team.
“The aircraft was conducting a guided hunting operation in clear and calm conditions at the time of the accident.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time.
“We would like to express our sincere thanks to the New Zealand Police, Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, the Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue team, and all emergency services for their swift, professional, and clinical response to the accident.”
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are investigating the accident.
Alpine Group says they have “confidence in those investigations and will co-operate fully to determine exactly what happened”.
Emergency services received reports of the incident about 9.50am yesterday.
A TAIC spokesperson said a team had arrived in the region.
It is split into two groups, with one examining crash wreckage.
The other will speak with witnesses and gather accounts of the incident, the spokesperson said.
The investigators are expected to remain at the site for the next two to three days.
The wreckage has not yet been removed from the crash site, with the TAIC saying it will be done “when practicable”.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh of Cromwell CIB last night confirmed the helicopter was a chartered craft and the occupants were on a hunting trip.
“The two people who died were the sole occupants of the craft at the time,” she said.
“Three others from the hunting group were located on the ground and taken to safety. Our condolences go out to their loved ones, who we are providing support.”
The helicopter was from Alpine Helicopters, owned by members of the Wallis family, with Toby Wallis the chief executive and his older brother, Jonathan, the general manager.
In October 2018, another brother, Nick Wallis, 38, died when a machine he was piloting crashed. Department of Conservation employees Paul Hondelink, 63, and Scott Theobold, 59, both of Twizel, also died in the crash near Wānaka.
That crash came just three months after Nick Wallis’ fourth brother and fellow pilot, Matthew, 39, died in another helicopter crash.
The brothers are the two youngest sons of aviation legend Sir Tim Wallis, who died in 2023.
Maritime NZ’s Rescue Co-ordination Centre confirmed it was the lead agency in response to yesterday’s crash.
“We want to thank the agencies that provided support during this response,” Maritime NZ said in a statement.
“This was a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to everyone impacted by what happened this morning.”
The centre has since handed responsibility for the response to the police.
The two deaths have been referred to the Coroner. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has also been notified.
The CAA confirmed it was making initial inquiries to understand the circumstances of the crash and liaising with other agencies involved.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected at this difficult time,” a CAA spokesperson said, adding that it would not be appropriate to comment further while the inquiries are underway.