DATE: 15 OCTOBER 2010 TIME: 12.45 PM

Crashed helicopter found

A helicopter and its two occupants missing near Invercargill since yesterday afternoon have been found.

Searchers found the crashed R22 helicopter just after noon today, submerged but intact about 2km South East of Colyers Island, inside Bluff Harbour. The body of the pilot was found inside the aircraft and the body of the passenger was located nearby.

Police are now notifying next of kin and will have responsibility for formally confirming the identities of the deceased.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) Senior Mission Controller Tracey Brickles said RCCNZ extended its heartfelt sympathies to the families of the two men.

The search would now be stood down, she said.

Ms Brickles thanked all who had been involved in the search, which included search crews on board three helicopters, two Coastguard vessels and a Coastguard jetski, as well as local Police personnel and a LandSAR team.

The helicoper was reported missing yesterday (Thursday 14 October) just after 2pm. There had been no contact with it since 1.30pm.

Helicopters, Coastguard air patrol and vessels from Bluff and Riverton had been working with police and RCCNZ since immediately after the helicopter was reported missing. Helicopters continued to search last night using night vision equipment.

ENDS

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