Pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach died in a crash in the upper Te Naihi River, South Westland, at 9.39am on Sunday.
Yesterday, Alpine Group Limited confirmed the deaths in a statement, saying the company was ‘‘devastated’’.
‘‘Both were highly experienced and valued members of a close-knit team.
‘‘Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time,’’ the company — owned by the Wallis family — said.
Two Wallis brothers, Matt and Nick, were killed in separate helicopter crashes in 2018.
Mr Brown and Mr Roach had been conducting a guided hunting operation in clear and calm conditions, the Alpine Group statement said.
The statement said Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the Civil Aviation Authority were investigating the crash.
‘‘We have confidence in those investigations and will co-operate fully to determine exactly what happened.’’
Apart from being an experienced guide, Mr Roach also worked as a golf professional and was a former captain of the Otago men’s amateur golf team.
A Givealittle page has been set up to raise funds for Mr Brown’s wife and daughter.
The page described his death as ‘‘a heartbreaking shock’’ and said he would leave ‘‘an immense void’’.
He was ‘‘widely known and deeply respected’’ in the aviation industry.
His passion within it was particularly notable in the agricultural and farming sectors.
In recent times, Mr Brown had invested significantly in a new business venture, which created more uncertainty for his family, the Givealittle page said.
TAIC senior communications adviser Simon Pleasants said the crash was reported to have happened halfway between Mt Aspiring and Mt Victor, about 24km west of Makarora.
Three investigators were ‘‘on the ground’’ gathering evidence.
Two were on the mountain at the accident site examining the wreckage.
One would be in Queenstown and Wānaka conducting interviews and gathering documentary and electronic evidence.
They would be deployed at least until tomorrow.
‘‘As soon as practicable, we will remove the wreckage from the accident site and transport it to the commission’s technical facility in Wellington.’’
Mr Pleasants said the first evidence TAIC staff were looking to gather was what could disappear or change in the environment.
‘‘We need to make sure we gain good knowledge about what is lying here early on.
‘‘This applies to human factors, too — memories of people who were on board.’’
At the weekend, Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh, of the Cromwell CIB, said three others from the hunting group were located on the ground and taken to safety.
Police extended condolences to Mr Brown’s and Mr Roach’s loved ones, ‘‘who we are providing support’’.
Their deaths had been referred to the coroner, she said.
- Staff Reporters
