Two people killed in a helicopter crash north of Wellington yesterday were pest control contractors working on the Transmission Gully state highway corridor, the New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed.
A preliminary scene examination was completed today following the recovery of a pilot and passenger killed in the crash.
Police received a report of the crash near the PaekÄkÄriki Hill area through the activation of automatic crash alert around 7.30am on Wednesday.
Later, two people were confirmed to have been killed in the crash.
In an update this morning, KÄpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector RenĆ©e Perkins said officers were working to “formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered”.
1News footage showed officers at a cordon in Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, near the crash site in the PaekÄkÄriki Hill area. (Source: 1News)
“Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time,” she said.
“Police are working to formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered but are unable to do so at this stage of the investigation.”
In a statement, an NZTA spokesperson told 1News two people killed in the crash were pest control contractors working on the Transmission Gully state highway corridor.
“NZTA is providing support to all of those affected by the crash, and WorkSafe has been notified,” the spokesperson said.
Perkins said Civil Aviation Authority investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination.
“A scene examination by police is ongoing and cordons will remain in place at the Battle Hill campground.”
Members of the public and media were urged to respect the cordoned area.
She also thanked partner agencies who assisted in the response and recovery.