Police have today completed a scene examination of the remote site where the wreckage of a Hughes 500 helicopter was located yesterday near Humboldt Creek in Fiordland.
Seven specialist Police staff and two alpine cliff rescue team members flew into the area this morning to undertake the examination.
Police confirm that the helicopter is the Hughes 500 which went missing on 3 January 2004 with pilot Campbell Montgomerie (27) and Hannah Rose Timings (28) on board.
The pair is yet to be formally identified and this will be done through DNA.
On 3 January 2004 the helicopter had been en route in difficult weather conditions from Howden Hut to Milford Sound when it lost radio contact with the Milford Radio Tower shortly before 9am.
An extensive search and rescue operation was mounted the same day throughout the Hollyford Valley. The scenario-based search covered the various routes that the helicopter might have taken from Lake Howden to Milford Sound and included over 200 flying hours and 2,500 people hours.
Police say that the wreckage was found at the extremities of the original search area, which comprised extraordinarily difficult and complex terrain.
Inspector Olaf Jensen says that the thoughts of Police are with the families at this time and Police hope that the discovery of the wreckage brings some closure for them.
ENDS
Released by Inspector Olaf Jensen, Southland Police
Media inquiries to 027 556 1814.