Two dead in Westport air crash
About 7.45am this morning 31/01/2013 Police were alerted to a 2 seater microlite aircraft that was reported overdue by
family.
The RCC who have the responsibilty for aircraft searches commenced a SAR operation. Solid Energy Helicopter from
Greymouth was dispatched, in the meantime a member of the public came across the crash site on the beach just south of
Elley's Drive Carters Beach Westport about 9am and advised Police. The 2 men that were on the aircraft were found
deceased - 1 in the wreckage and 1 nearby. The CAA will investigate the crash alongside the Police, and will report
their findings to the Coroner.
The names of the two men killed in today's aircraft crash are;
Pilot, Roger Murray Smith, 58yrs, Westport
Passenger, Cole Ashby, 25yrs, Westport
ends