Police issued a statement at 3.13pm yesterday saying two people had died in a helicopter crash.
The first reports of the crash had come in at 9.50am, the statement said.
Two Wallis brothers, Matt and Nick, were killed in separate helicopter crashes in 2018.
Brother Toby is the chief executive of the company and the other brother, Jonathan, is the general manager.
The Wallis men are the sons of aviation pioneer and Warbirds Over Wānaka airshow founder the late Sir Tim Wallis and his wife, Prue, Lady Wallis.
Police said Maritime NZ’s Rescue Co-ordination Centre had handed responsibility for the response to police, who were on scene yesterday afternoon.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh, of the Cromwell CIB, said police inquiries were ongoing.
‘‘I can now confirm the helicopter was a chartered craft, and the occupants were on a hunting trip.
‘‘The two people who died were the sole occupants of the craft at the time.’’
Three others from the hunting group were located on the ground and taken to safety, she said.
‘‘Our condolences go out to their loved ones, who we are providing support.’’
Their deaths had been referred to the coroner, and the Civil Aviation Authority and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission had been notified.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement last evening it was aware of the accident and ‘‘are making initial inquiries to understand the circumstances and are liaising with other agencies involved’’.
‘‘Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected at this difficult time,’’ the spokesman said.
— Allied Media
