Second dead glider pilot named

The glider pilot who died when his aircraft crashed south of Blenheim yesterday was Michael Dekker, 55, from Blenheim.

He was the second pilot to die in 24 hours.

Mr Dekker was an experienced pilot and crashed about 7km south of Blenheim on Orchard Spur near the Taylor Pass area.

He left Omaka Airfield about 8.30am yesterday to fly south to the Lake Coleridge area near Mt Hutt and then return to Blenheim, a round trip of about 12 hours, police said.

A search was launched after the tow pilot raised the alarm about 9.30pm yesterday and the wreckage was found about 3am today.

A hang glider pilot also died when he crashed into cliffs at Karioitahi Beach, south west of Auckland yesterday. He was Bradley Mark Cameron, 39, of Auckland.

Police said after taking off he flew for about four minutes before losing altitude and turning into the cliff face.

He died as friends and Karioitahi surf lifeguards worked on him.

- NZPA