Seven specialist Police staff and two alpine cliff rescue team members have this morning flown into an area near Humboldt Creek, Fiordland, to examine the wreckage of a helicopter spotted there yesterday.
Police believe that the helicopter is likely to be a Hughes 500 which was reported missing in the area in early January 2004 with two people on board. The families of these two people have been advised and are being kept informed.
However Police say that they won't be able to confirm this until the examination at the scene is completed.
The helicopter's wreckage is spread across a large area in rugged terrain. The weather in the area is good and the team is hoping to complete the scene examination today.
Southland Police were advised about 4pm yesterday that the wreckage had been seen from the air by people on a sightseeing flight over the Hollyford Valley.
ENDS
Released by Inspector Olaf Jensen, Southland Police
Media inquiries to 027 556 1814
Note to media: There will be a further update later this afternoon.