Divers retrieve body
A BODY, believed to be that of helicopter pilot Matt Wallis, was last night recovered from the Stevensons Arm area of Lake Wanaka.
The body was retrieved about 10pm by the police national dive squad and Royal New Zealand Navy.
Some wreckage of the helicopter Mr Wallis (39) was flying when it crashed on Saturday was also recovered.
‘‘This is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for in the circumstances, and we are glad to be able to bring some degree of closure to Matthew’s family at this sad time,’’ Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw said.
‘‘Police would like to thank the Wallis family, New Zealand Defence Force, LandSAR volunteers, the Wanaka community and the aviation industry for their assistance in this recovery operation.
‘‘Matthew’s family ask the media to please respect their privacy as they come to terms with their loss.’’
The matter will now be referred to the coroner.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has already begun its investigation.
The navy was called in to help with the recovery of Mr Wallis’ body, which was believed to be with the helicopter 47m below the surface of the lake.
The recovery effort continued throughout yesterday as his ‘‘devastated’’ father, Sir Tim Wallis, was understood to be headed to the spot on Lake Wanaka where his son is believed to have died.
Mr Wallis leaves a 5yearold son, Arthur, and wife, Alice.
The search resumed yesterday morning.
The police dive squad began operating at 8.30am in Stevensons Arm, where the helicopter crashed.
A Defence Force spokesman said navy hydrographic specialists had been called to Lake Wanaka at the request of police.
He said the navy team would use remotely operated underwater vehicles to scan the lake bed using sonar equipment.
TAIC air accident investigator Ian McClelland said his team would continue to gather evidence, including aircraft maintenance records and pilot history, and identify witnesses.
Mr McClelland said it was difficult to say how long the investigation might take.
He said the aircraft crash site being underwater ‘‘adds another dimension to the investigation’’.
‘‘We’d very much like to recover the wreckage.
‘‘That will help us a great deal in terms of identifying the contributing factors to the accident.’’
George Wallis said from Hawaii his brother Sir Tim, a founder of the popular Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow, was ‘‘absolutely devastated’’.
George Wallis described his nephew as ‘‘very energetic’’ and said his loss would leave a ‘‘big void’’.
The Wallis family owns Alpine Helicopters and Minaret Station, a remote and exclusive lodge, tourism base and working farm on the western side of Lake Wanaka.
Matt Wallis was flying alone from Wanaka in a Robinson R44 helicopter on Saturday just before 1pm on a 15minute supply trip to a lodge in the Minaret Bay area.
In 2008, Haast helicopter pilot Morgan Saxton’s body and the helicopter he had been flying were retrieved from Lake Wanaka after a crash.
The retrieval was completed in a 94mdeep underwater operation using a homebuilt rig from a remotely operated vehicle.
Yesterday, members of the Haast community who were involved in that operation expressed their sympathy for the Wallis family and the Wanaka community.
Kerry Eggeling, Haast’s search and rescue coordinator at the time, said yesterday the crash had a ‘‘huge impact on the Haast community’’.
Matt Wallis was heavily involved in the recovery of Mr Saxton’s body, and Mr Eggeling described Mr Wallis’ crash as ‘‘deja vu’’.
‘‘I just absolutely feel for the Wallis family.’’ ‘‘It’s absolutely tragic to lose a brother or a son like that. Words can’t describe it,’’ Mr Eggeling said.