An Air Force Iroquois helicopter has crashed

[Chairman]

Military helicopter crashes

Breaking 8:22 AM Sunday Apr 25, 2010

WELLINGTON - An Air Force Iroquois helicopter has crashed at Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington, this morning.

Police said the crash happened about 6.45am.

It was not yet known how many people were on board the aircraft or exactly where the helicopter came down.

- NZPA

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article....jectid=10640771

[Chairman]

Air crash kills three
By MARK STEVENS - Stuff
Last updated 08:29 25/04/2010

LATEST: Three people are dead after an Air Force iroquois helicopter crashed into a farm north of Wellington.

Police confirmed a search for the chopper was launched shortly before 7am. It was found on a farm near Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington.

Four people were onboard. A Wellington Free Ambulance spokeswoman said three people were dead, and a fourth was taken to hospital in a serious to critical condition.

Few details were available but it's understood the chopper was one of three iroquois helicopters travelling to Wellington.

Several emergency services - including the Westpac rescue helicopter - are involved.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3620627/Helicopter-missing

[cowpatz]

How awful and today of all days.
I wonder if this will prompt a political back lash with regards to the aged Air Force fleet.

[Splitpin]

Very sad , and as you said cowpatz....today of all days. Re the back lash.....it normally takes something like this to stir up those in power, a blood response and thats bloody sad!

[chopper_nut]

As a helicopter pilot and a huge fan of the Iroquios this is like being punched in the guts. Its been said already but today of all days...

[creator2003]

,R.I.P ,just a real bummer for all involved

[Chairman]

What chopper nut said. I used to live on Herald Island, and the WhopWhopWhopWhopWhopWhopWhopWhopWhop was pretty much a constant background noise (broken only by the odd C130 or 727).

This is kind of like an old friend going down ...

[Naki]

Very sad

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Apr 25 2010, 09:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How awful and today of all days.
I wonder if this will prompt a political back lash with regards to the aged Air Force fleet.

....only if it was a malfaunction of something mechnical..otherwise its pure speculation

[Chairman]

Nah, something will be said about the age of the iroquois fleet today by someone, it's almost a given.

Remember tv and radio news want soundbytes today that they can use today about a chopper crash today. They won't wait months for an investigation.

[markll]

QUOTE (Chairman @ Apr 25 2010, 11:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nah, something will be said about the age of the iroquois fleet today by someone, it's almost a given.

True, but theres not much you can say really that won't just sound trite given that we've already got replacements well on the way....

[FlyingKiwi]

Unfortunately the fourth person on board who was rescued has also now died.

[Splitpin]

QUOTE (FlyingKiwi @ Apr 25 2010, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unfortunately the fourth person on board who was rescued has also now died.

Really, where did you see that? The article on stuff (not that they're the most reliable, mind you) says

QUOTE

A fourth person was transported by ambulance to Wellington Hospital.

Wellington Hospital spokeswoman Raylene Bateman said reports that the fourth air force member had died "absolutely incorrect" and the inaccuracies were "upsetting" to the defence force and the man's family.

He is described as being in a serious but stable condition.

"I cannot say what the nature of his injures are but it is my understanding that his injuries are not life threatening," Ms Bateman said.[/quote]

[Splitpin]

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/fourth-per...sh-dies-3487949

QUOTE

The fourth crew member of the Air Force Iroquois helicopter that crashed near Paekakariki Hill Rd on Anzac Day morning, has died.

They were airlifted from the crash site with serious injuries and taken to Wellington Hospital, after the helicopter crashed around 6am.[/quote]

[markll]

QUOTE (andrewb @ Apr 25 2010, 12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/fourth-per...sh-dies-3487949

Hmmm...interesting - guess we'll have to wait till the official word comes down later on I suppose....

[shotgun]

Just driving home and heard it on the radio

[Splitpin]

QUOTE (markll @ Apr 25 2010, 12:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm...interesting - guess we'll have to wait till the official word comes down later on I suppose....

100% agree....3 are dead, just leave it alone and wait.....

[2fst4u]

4th passed away in hospital. I've been attending ANZAC services in Wellington all day. Could even hear the hueys in the background when they were supposed to flyover while everyone was confused as to why they never came our way. Even heard from one person living in Pukerua bay about the large crash and another huey landing on the road. Really unfortunate to happen today.

6 RNZAF deaths in under a year. Something's not right. RIP.

[deaneb]

QUOTE (2fst4u @ Apr 25 2010, 02:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

4th passed away in hospital.

Meanwhile, Wellington Hospital spokeswoman Raylene Bateman said reports that the fourth air force member had died were "absolutely incorrect" and the inaccuracies were "upsetting" to the Defence Force and the man's family.

He is described as being in a serious but stable condition.

"I cannot say what the nature of his injures are but it is my understanding that his injuries are not life threatening," Ms Bateman said

[2fst4u]

I realise this, but the NEW news I received was that he had now passed away in hospital. I don't have any links to this info so don't quote me on it (well, you just did ) but it was a pretty confident announcement at my third service of the day. Believe you me, I hope I'm wrong though.

[2fst4u]

Official Defence Force press releases:

Press release 1

Press release 2

Press release 3