Rest for lucky chopper crew

The Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter crash landed while approaching the Taupo Hospital helipad. Photo/Jessica Kate Williamson

Rotorua's rescue helicopter service will be back in the skies in the next day or so after crew members "catch their breath" after a close call when the helicopter crashed.

A fully operational back-up helicopter is ready to respond to callouts from the Rotorua base once staff were ready to fly again, according to Philips Search and Rescue Trust secretary David Wickham.

In the "immediate future" helicopters in the Central North Island including Hamilton, Tauranga and Taupo would respond to any calls.

Rotorua pilot Art Kowalski and another man walked away from the badly damaged BayTrust Rescue Helicopter on Saturday night. The helicopter landed heavily after hitting trees while approaching the Taupo Hospital helipad.

Mr Wickham said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash but both the Civil Aviation Authority and the trust would carry out investigations.

He said the main focus was on making sure those involved were okay.

Mr Wickham said receiving news of the accident was a worst nightmare.

"The only thing of enormous relief was that no one was severely injured. There are plenty of helicopters in the world."

He said he didn't know yet whether the helicopter would be repaired or whether they would need a new helicopter, but said the machine was insured.

"Right now I've told everyone to catch their breaths."

Mr Wickham said the two on board were holding up "fine" given the circumstances.

"It was a bit of a shock. It takes a bit of getting back in the right space."

He hoped to see the crewman and Mr Kowalski back in the air as soon as they were ready.

A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said they had an investigator at the scene yesterday. He said they had secured the scene and would look to move the helicopter off site.