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A man who died in a helicopter crash along with his wife was a “stalwart” of Christchurch’s tech industry, says his “devastated” manager.
The plane crashed onto a rocky beach at the mouth of the Kekerengu River, about 40 kilometers north of Kaikōura, during a flight from Christchurch at around 12:40 p.m. Tuesday.
The pilot, Andrew Hamish Davidson, and his wife, Lin Chen, were killed. Her two young children and a third child survived the accident, but were seriously injured.
The children, two boys and a girl, all under the age of 14, were airlifted to Wellington Hospital.
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Davidson was CEO of Enatel Motive Power and was a director of the electronics company. Enatel CEO Richard Jenman said Davidson, one of the founders of the company, was “a stalwart of the tech industry.”
“Andrew has a long history in the technology industry in Christchurch and will be deeply missed.”
Jenman first worked with Davidson in the 1990s and reconnected about 11 months ago when Jenman joined Enatel.
“Andrew was a driving force in the business. He is a professional businessman, he was highly respected and, at the same time, formed very good business relationships and friends. “
Staff met Wednesday morning to discuss Davidson’s passing and share some stories. A formal tribute is planned for the team next week.
Brya Ingram / Stuff
The Airbus Helicopter EC120 was traveling from Christchurch with five people on board when it lost control near the beach.
Jenman had only met Chen in passing, but said she was considered “well regarded” by staff who knew her.
The main interest of the company was the well-being of the couple’s two children and the friend of the family aboard the helicopter.
“It’s so sad,” he said.
“Personally, I am devastated for someone who has been denied the rest of his life and for his family. They had a very bright future ahead of them and this is a shocking scenario. “
Davidson’s relative previously told him Stuff the accident was “such a shock”.
“The children have been left without parents,” said the relative.
In an email to parents, St Andrew’s College Principal Christine Leighton confirmed that two children from the preparatory school were injured and at Wellington Hospital.
“Our hearts go out to the families and their loved ones. We know this news will devastate you and many of you are supporting each other and supporting your children. “
Staff were supporting those involved, he said. Counseling services would be available to support the school community.
The couple’s son attended Medbury School in Christchurch, a private school for boys.
STUFF
Andrew Hamish Davidson was killed in a helicopter crash Tuesday. (File photo)
In an email to the parents, Principal Ian Macpherson confirmed that the family was “one of us.”
“The Medbury community is strengthened in our Christian foundations and in the collective care and support it offers in difficult times.”
The school’s support for the Davidson family, both now and in the future, was “paramount,” Macpherson said along with support for his wider community.
The school would open for an hour on Monday for families to come together if they need support.
A range of counseling services would also be made available to support the school community.
In a statement to the media, MacPherson said that the “thoughts and prayers of the school are with the family at this time.”
The group is believed to have been flying to The Store, a popular restaurant in Kekerengu, for lunch.
Witnesses say the helicopter got into trouble trying to land. First responders ripped out the front window to free the survivors, fearing it would catch fire.
Davidson incorporated helicopter rental company Glenloch Helicopters Limited on September 28.
The Eurocopter EC120 B was transferred to his name on October 10.
The couple also ran a bed and breakfast from their lifestyle section at Ohoka in North Canterbury.
The Transportation Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has opened an investigation into the accident.
The commission said the circumstances reported to date were that the Airbus Helicopter EC120 was traveling from Christchurch with five people on board when it lost control near the beach.
Kekerengu resident Ian Mehrtens said that when he first saw the helicopter from his accommodation, it looked like it was coming ashore.
Scott Hammond / Stuff
The downed helicopter was an EC120.
“It all happened so fast … it looked normal and then it started to spiral,” he said.
“It just got out of control so fast.”
Mehrtens raced to the scene across the street on a quad bike. About four or five members of the public were already there. The front window was opened to release the survivors.
He said he pulled a girl out of the rubble. The other children rescued were two boys.
CONTROL POINT / RNZ
Two people died and three were seriously injured in a helicopter crash north of Kaikōura.
“There was nothing you could do except get them [passengers] out of there. Especially since there is a possibility [the helicopter] it could catch fire.
“We were lucky there was a tall guy helping. He was able to come up and grab the passengers. “
The helicopter was at sea, which was at low tide at the time.
A tractor dragged the helicopter out of the water, Mehrtens said.
Emergency services arrived “pretty quickly,” he said. The first response came from local farmers.
A previous one in this story incorrectly said that the children involved were two girls and one boy.
