Fatal Helicopter Crash - Lochy Valley near Queenstown

<p>Queenstown Police have advised that the wreckage of an overdue Helicopter flight, reported as missing earlier this afternoon, in the Lochy Valley area near Queenstown, has been located.</p>
<p>The craft, believed to be a Robinson 44 operated by Over the Top Helicopters, based in Queenstown, was reported overdue at about 2:30pm and located in a remote area of bush shortly after 4:00pm.</p>
<p>There were two persons on board and both were declared deceased at the scene.</p>
<p>The men were identified as Stephen Anthony Nicholson COMBE, aged 42, of Wanaka and James Louis Patterson Gardner, aged 18, of Queenstown.</p>
<p>Next of Kin had been notified and Victim Support engaged to assist the families.</p>
<p>Detective Sergeant Brian Cameron of Queenstown Police said that &ldquo;It is too early in the investigation to speculate as to possible causes for the crash and Police are working closely with the Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) in order to determine what has occurred.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Staff from both agencies are due to arrive in Queenstown early tomorrow to meet with Police and it is anticipated that a detailed scene examination will commence thereafter.</p>
<p>The deaths of the two men have been referred to the Coroner and Post Mortem examinations will occur tomorrow at Christchurch.</p>
<p><br />
Detective Sergeant Brian Cameron<br />
Queenstown CIB<br />
Central Lakes Otago</p>
<p>ENDS</p>