One dead in light aircraft crash at Omaka Aerodrome near Blenheim

Police, fire and ambulance officers attended the incident at the airfield.

A person is dead after a light aircraft crash in Blenheim this afternoon, police say.

The person was the sole occupant of the aircraft, which crashed at Omaka Aerodrome just before 1.20pm.

As well as police, Fire and Emergency responded with two fire crews - one from Woodbourne and one from Blenheim - and St John Ambulance sent a first response vehicle and an ambulance.

Omaka Aerodrome is also home to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, which shows World War I and World War II aircraft and artefacts, including those belonging to Oscar-winning Kiwi film-maker Sir Peter Jackson.

It’s also the base for some helicopter and agricultural aviation businesses.

The crash will be referred to the Civil Aviation Authority, police said.

Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.