The operation to recover the victims of Saturday’s helicopter crash at Fox Glacier is a technically challenging task calling for specialist skills in an unforgiving environment, says operation commander Inspector John Canning.
A search and rescue team in the NZCC Rescue Helicopter recovered three of the victims this morning (Sunday) during a brief lull in the bad weather which has beset the area.
However conditions are forecast to deteriorate tomorrow and Tuesday, meaning further operations on the glacier are likely to be on hold until at least Wednesday.
“The site is near the top of the glacier, it’s all ice, it’s not level and there are blocks of ice as big as buildings with crevasses between them,” says Inspector Canning.
“There will be danger in getting teams into the area and traversing the area. While we’re determined to return these people to their families, this will be a complex and technical task with an emphasis on the safety of those involved.”
In today’s operation the victims were winched aboard the helicopter, which was unable to land.
Alpine cliff rescue teams from Mount Cook and Franz Josef are in attendance, along with disaster victim identification (DVI) teams. “It’s a complex scene but there are some unique skill sets coming into play,” says Inspector Canning.
Police and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) are commissioning a commercial photography drone to survey the area when weather conditions allow.
Other work under way includes appointing Police family liaison officers to work with the victims’ loved ones. TAIC is leading the investigation.
There will be no further information available today.