Air Force crash victims named
The wreckage of the Air Force Iroquois helicopter on the side of a hill in Pukerua Bay
The names of the Air Force crew who died this morning after their Iroquois helicopter crashed have been released.
They were Flight Lieutenant Hayden Madsen, Corporal Benjamin Carson and Flying Officer Daniel Gregory.
Two were aged in their twenties and one in his early thirties.
Air Force chief Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott said at media conference at Ohakea that he has informed the families of the tragedy and they will be flown to Ohakea.
Lintott says it is too early to speculate about the cause of the crash as investigating are continuing.
The helicopter crashed on its way to memorial services in Wellington.
Kapiti-Mana area commander Inspector John Spence said the helicopter went down shortly before 6am into hills near Pukerua Bay about 40km north east of Wellington.
Two other helicopters were flying with the ill-fated Iroquois in a formation of three, before the crash.
"The terrain is very difficult and the conditions with low cloud were difficult," Spence said.
"The Westpac rescue helicopter managed to get into the scene and winch a paramedic down to the scene.
Very sadly three members of the Iroquois crew were found to be dead at the scene. One crewman was alive."
The injured crewman was taken to hospital; Spence understood he had a dislocated knee and chest injuries.
Wellington Hospital confirmed the crewman was in a serious but stable condition.
Spence said the crash site was very difficult to locate in the low cloud.
Police search and rescue had taken control of the scene and were working closely with air force staff to investigate what happened and to identify and remove the bodies of the three crew.
The helicopter "was pretty badly smashed up" and looked to be upside down in a ravine.
Spence said he presumed the three crew were killed instantly; the fourth man had managed to get out of the wreck and was found nearby.
The Defence Force confirmed the helicopter was travelling from Ohakea and heading towards Anzac Day commemorations in Wellington but would not make further comment.
The Air Force says it will be doing a press conference at 2pm.
"Misty" conditions
Pukerua Bay resident Kathy McLauchlan said she could see the crash site from her window.
Weather conditions at the time of the crash were "extremely misty", she said.
"Since the mist has lifted we can see it."
The crash happened quite high on the hills overlooking Pukerua Bay, McLauchlan said.
Condolences
Kiwis spending the night at Gallipoli have been left stunned and Prime Minister John Key, who is in Gallipoli for Anzac Day, expressed his shock and sorrow after hearing about the crash.
"I was informed early this morning of the crash," says Key.
"I am shocked and saddened by this tragic event. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, the family of the injured man, and the entire New Zealand Defence Force.
"To have this happen when the helicopter was heading to Wellington for an Anzac Day flypast is an absolute tragedy.
"I am sure that all New Zealanders will join with me in offering the families of the victims, and the Defence Force, our deepest condolences."
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and New Zealand's Governor-General Anand Satyanand have both offered their condolences to the families of the deceased crew members.
Labour Party leader Phil Goff also expressed his sorrow at the crash.
"This is a very sad day for New Zealand and the Defence Force," Phil Goff said.
"The Labour Party's thoughts go out to the families and friends of those who died and to the seriously injured person and their family.
Labour Defence spokesman Pete Hodgson said he understood those killed and injured were taking part in ANZAC Day commemorations.
"This is an extremely shocking crash that will impact deeply on our defence force personnel who will have day today been remembering fallen comrades of both the past and the present.
Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway said the crash will have an enormous impact on the tight-knit Ohakea community.
"I know the community will rally to support those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy," Iain Lees-Galloway said.
"To have this happen when the helicopter was heading to Wellington for an Anzac Day flypast is an absolute tragedy.
"I am sure that all New Zealanders will join with me in offering the families of the victims, and the Defence Force, our deepest condolences."
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and New Zealand's Governor-General Anand Satyanand have both offered their condolences to the families of the deceased crew members.
Labour Party leader Phil Goff also expressed his sorrow at the crash.
"This is a very sad day for New Zealand and the Defence Force," Phil Goff said.
"The Labour Party's thoughts go out to the families and friends of those who died and to the seriously injured person and their family.
Labour Defence spokesman Pete Hodgson said he understood those killed and injured were taking part in ANZAC Day commemorations.
"This is an extremely shocking crash that will impact deeply on our defence force personnel who will have day today been remembering fallen comrades of both the past and the present.
Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway said the crash will have an enormous impact on the tight-knit Ohakea community.
"I know the community will rally to support those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy," Iain Lees-Galloway said.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/air-force-crash-victims-named-3487887
