Saturday, 4 September 2010 - 4:45pm |
National News

9 dead in Fox Glacier plane crash

1 min read

Police can confirm that nine people have died in a plane crash at Fox Glacier.

The accident happened at 1.15pm today when the plane, carrying a party of skydivers and tourists, crashed at the end of the runway at Fox Glacier Airport.

There were five New Zealanders on board plus a national each from Australia, Ireland, Germany and the UK.

The embassies of each overseas victim have been informed and relatives are in the process of being advised.

Police from Tasman District have secured the scene of the crash site and the bodies will remain there until Sunday.

A Police Disaster Victim Identification team is currently en-route to Fox Glacier.

Once the bodies have been recovered they are expected to be taken to Dunedin hospital.

The Civil Aviation Authority has been notified.

Police are unable to release the identities of the victims until relatives have been informed.

Ends

Contact:

Greymouth Police: 03 768 1600