At about 4pm today (21 November) Southland Police were advised that people on a sightseeing helicopter flight over the Hollyford Valley in Fiordland had spotted what appeared to be the wreckage of a helicopter in the Humboldt Creek area.
Police personnel from Queenstown flew into the area in the early evening to confirm the sighting and were able to complete a limited investigation at the scene.
An Invercargill Police Search and Rescue Team assisted by an Alpine Cliff Rescue Team from Queenstown is travelling to the site mid-morning tomorrow (Thursday 22 November) with the aim of identifying the helicopter and conducting a scene examination.
Police say it is too early to speculate about the identity of the helicopter or its passengers but say that they hope to have more information later tomorrow.
ENDS
Released by Inspector Olaf Jensen, Southland Police