Two dead in South Island helicopter crash

Two people have died when their helicopter crashed in steep terrain in Mt Aspiring National Park, near Wanaka this morning.

The Robinson 22 crashed near Homestead Peak, west of Lake Wanaka, at an altitude of about 1500 metres before 11am.

John Aspinall of Mt Aspiring Station said staff at Wanaka Aerodrome called him this morning to confirm a fire in the park which had been reported by an aircraft flying in the area.

Mr Aspinall said he drove about five kilometres up the valley from his property and was able to confirm the fire through binoculars.

It was not until the Department of Conservation was notified and flew over the site that they realised the fire was from the wreckage of a helicopter, he said.

Mr Aspinall said the site of the crash was on a ridge, in steep terrain, which then dropped away to a gorge.

"There is only one way they will be able to retrieve the wreckage and bodies and that is with helicopters," he said.

Recovery operations may be hampered by strong wind in the area but flying conditions had been "ideal" at the time of the crash, he said.

"It was almost quite perfect this morning. There had been a light frost in the morning but sunny, clear skies and the wind only started after the crash at midday."

Police said they believed the helicopter was on a private flight .

- NZPA