Crash kills ‘true West Coaster’
The man who died in a helicopter crash on the West Coast was Noel Edward Wilson, known as Grumbles.
A Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokeswoman said they received a distress beacon at 6.45pm on Monday and a search and rescue helicopter was sent to the scene.
Wilson’s helicopter, a Robinson R22, had crashed into a remote hilly area about 9km northeast of Reefton. Searchers found one person dead when they arrived.
Yesterday, Wilson’s father, who is also named Noel, said the family was notified of his son’s death but they had no further details from police yet.
Wilson, in his early 50s, was ‘‘an experienced pilot’’.
Friend Dawson Bliss said Wilson was a ‘‘true West Coaster’’.
‘‘His gruff manner and quick wit humour won many friends. The saying ‘a man amongst men’ typified Grumbles.’’
Bliss and Wilson went on several flights together, and the pilot maintained his helicopter ‘‘more fastidiously than most’’.
‘‘[He was] highly experienced in mountain flying, where he had either been a pilot or shooter. He, like me, lived off the land and was an expert bushman who was at ease in the mountains.
‘‘He was a man that took no s... and gave no quarter but was a mate like no other.’’
Locals said Wilson was a private, family-oriented man, who lived next door to his parents.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into the crash.