Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw
A Police co-ordinated search is under way for a helicopter and its pilot missing around Lake Wanaka.
The aircraft left Wanaka Airport about 1pm yesterday, and was headed towards Mount Aspiring National Park - a journey that was expected to take 15 minutes.
There was one person onboard – the male pilot.
Police are not currently in a position to name the pilot.
The search is now being led by Police, after first being co-ordinated by RCCNZ.
Items believed to be from the helicopter have been located in Stevensons Arm, Lake Wanaka.
A search centred around Stevensons Island has started up again this this morning, comprising Police, LandSAR and Coastguard boats.
The Police National Dive Squad is due in Wanaka today and will make an assessment of the situation this afternoon.
The weather this morning is cold but calm, offering a good opportunity for search teams to operate.
ENDS
Police Media Centre