Helicopter crash north of Kaikōura: locals rescued three children from wreckage

Brave locals rescued three children from the wreckage of a helicopter crash before a farmer pulled the wrecked plane out of the Kekerengu river mouth.

Two people were killed in the crash and three others, children, were seriously injured before being flown separately to Wellington Hospital.

Two parents are reportedly feared to have died and the couple’s children survived the accident.

Investigators will review the debris tomorrow morning as they work to understand the circumstances that led to the accident.

The Transportation Accident Investigation Commission has opened an investigation and tonight called for witnesses, “especially anyone who captured the accident on their vehicle’s dash cam or other recording device, to contact TAIC soon as possible”.

They have established a perimeter around the remains that prohibits public access in order to protect the evidence.

Darryl Papesch, a member of the New Zealand Fire and Emergency Operational Insurance (Fenz) team, believed that those rescued were children.

He was one of the first to respond to the scene after visiting the local volunteer fire brigade and said locals had pulled everyone out of the wreck when he arrived.

“We had conversations with them, not a proper conversation, but they knew their names and how old they were,” Papesch said.

“The three injured people were young … they were not adults, I would say children, definitely children.”

He said that the locals removed the five occupants before a local with a tractor pulled the helicopter down the beach and cleaned it well from the water.

“The premises were outstanding, in a chaotic situation they were outstanding.

“The three agencies, Fenz, the police, St John, worked together and just got down to business.”

One of the locals, Ian Mehrtens, said he saw the helicopter fall from the sky but did not see it fall to the ground.

“He did a few spins, then he started to spiral and then he just dived,” ZB told Newstalk. “It landed on its side.”

You often see helicopters ferrying tourists ashore near The Store for coffee or food, especially during the summer months.

“It was just another that made landfall, but it didn’t land in the right way,” he said.

By the time he crossed the road and reached the wreckage, Mehrtens says other locals were trying to rescue its occupants.

“The poor old helicopter was on its side and pretty well wrecked, with pieces all over it,” he said.

“A couple of passengers were screaming in pain … there were a couple of guys trying to get the three children out of the vehicle.

“We managed to get them out, but it took a while because we were worried it would explode.”

The locals managed to get the people out, believed to be children, and Mehrtens led a girl to safety.

Mehrtens said she seemed fine but was concerned for her mother’s well-being.

Afterward, the locals made sure everyone was safe and sound and out of the tide.

The owner of the tractor told TVNZ: “We all heard a bang when it hit the ground and all the locals ran out and gathered with blankets and that sort of thing, and we managed to get some people out of the helicopter.”

He grabbed his tractor and drove the helicopter away from the water’s edge “out of harm’s way.”

He said the locals “without a doubt” managed to save lives with their swift actions.

“A lot of us did what we could. The local nurse found out and came running. I call it a team effort.”

The accident took place on the outskirts of The Store, a popular spot for heli-tourists, in the small town located about 30 kilometers north of Kaikōura, at 12:42 p.m.

The helicopter was an Airbus Helicopter EC120 and came from Christchurch.

Mehrtens’ wife, Coastal Lodge owner Lyn Mehrtens, also watched the helicopter hit the ground, spinning in circles 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.”

Papesch believed the helicopter was partially in the swell off the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

Harald Hendel, TAIC’s chief accident investigator, says there may be people who saw what happened, given the location of the accident next to a busy cafe on State Highway 1.

He has appointed an investigation team and they are scheduled to be on site tomorrow morning.

“The research team has an expert knowledge of helicopter operations, engineering and maintenance.

“Your initial work will include inspecting the wreckage, mapping the site, and speaking with witnesses. Gathering additional evidence in the coming weeks and months will likely include examining the helicopter’s components, looking for any logged data from the helicopter’s electronics, and obtaining maintenance records. “.

Rescue helicopters were dispatched from Christchurch, Nelson Marlborough and Wellington, and a commercial helicopter was dispatched from Kaikōura.

Each of the rescue helicopters then took a patient to Wellington hospital, said Simon Duncan, general manager of GCH Aviation, which operates rescue helicopters and air ambulance services.

A spokesperson for the Capital and Coast District Board of Health said the three patients were being evaluated in the emergency department.

“The three rescue helicopters from across the region were sent to the scene without knowing what they were going to find,” he said.

Each helicopter has a pilot and two paramedics on board.

“It’s a very sad time of year for that kind of thing to have to happen,” Duncan said.

Kaikoura Mayor Craig Mackle said his thoughts were with the friends and family of those on board the flight.

“It has sent shockwaves to the community.

“It’s definitely making everyone think about their families and Christmas and everything.”

Mackle did not have any information on who was on board the flight or who died.