A helicopter crashes north of Kaikōura, north of Canterbury

Locals are fighting to rescue the occupants of a helicopter that crashed north of Kaikōura.

Coastal Lodge owner Lyn Mehrtens said she watched in horror as the helicopter hit the ground and circled as it descended.

“We just watched it go round and round and round,” Mehrtens said.

“It’s scary. You’re so helpless. You can’t do anything.”

Mehrtens said her husband ran to the crash site, and others in the community were on tractors doing what they could to help those inside the wreckage.

Everyone who could help until emergency crews arrived.

The helicopter appeared to have crashed near the front of The Store, which was a popular place to visit by helicopters.

The accident took place at the mouth of the Kekerengu River in Clarence, which is a small town 30 km north of Kaikōura.

A spokeswoman for Kaikoura Helicopters Ltd said it was not one of their machines.

St John has dispatched three helicopters to the scene, one from Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch.

A spokesperson says an ambulance was on the way from Kaikōura, as well as an intensive care paramedic and a manager from Blenheim.

It says crews are still heading to the scene after they were called in at 12:42 p.m.

The 60 km journey from Kaikoura to Clarence, which is at the mouth of the Kekerengu River, will take 48 minutes to drive on State Highway 1, according to
Google Maps.

Meanwhile, the journey from Blenheim will take 52 minutes to reach 68 km.

Police confirmed the accident near the mouth of the Kekerengu River, north of Kaikōura.

“Emergency services were alerted to the accident at 12:40 pm and are currently on their way to the scene,” police said.

“At this initial stage there is no confirmed information on the number of people who were aboard the helicopter or the injuries suffered.”