Wallis patriarch devastated

Big team in tricky operation as Wallis brothers post emotional tribute

The body of pilot Matthew Wallis was found inside the wreckage of his helicopter, police say. At a press conference in Wanaka yesterday afternoon Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw confirmed the Wanaka man was found inside the helicopter which was discovered 47m below the surface of Lake Wanaka on Monday night.

Shaw said about 30 people were involved in the recovery operation in the Stevensons Arm area of Lake Wanaka. A team made up of police, navy and coastguard worked together to locate the wreckage.

Wallis was removed from the wreckage before a line was attached to lift the wreckage out of the water, he said.

“It took a number of hours due to various difficulties. The weight of the machine and the depth that it came up from.

“Divers were working at night and using remotely operated vehicles that had their own light source so it was very achievable given their expertise Pioneering flier Sir Tim Wallis, the father of the helicopter pilot Matthew Timothy Wallis who died in a Lake Wanaka crash on Saturday, survived 15 air crashes.

The last of these, in 1996 in a World War II-era Spitfire, ended his solo flying career and nearly ended his life.

Friends, family and colleagues have spoken of the grief caused by Matthew’s death, and how he was a highly respected member of the Wanaka community. Tim Wallis’ brother, George Wallis, said, from Hawaii, that Sir Tim was devastated.

George and Tim, 79, were the two older children of Arthur Wallis, a Westland and South Westland timber and sawmilling businessman. While

and the equipment we were able to source from the New Zealand Defence Force.”

TAIC air accident investigator Ian McClelland said the state of the wreckage showed the helicopter had hit the water from “some height”, although noted the damage assessment had yet to be completed.

He said the stormy weather at the time would “certainly” be looked at as part of the inquiry. George branched into trucking, Tim carved out a ground-breaking career by combining helicopters, wild deer recovery and farming.

The interests of the Wallis family — which was on the Rich List for a time — include Alpine Helicopters and Minaret Station, a remote and exclusive lodge, tourism base and working farm on the western side of Lake Wanaka.

Tim Wallis founded the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow in 1988.

Warbirds over Wanaka Community Trust chairman John Gilks said: “Our heartfelt condolences go to Matt Wallis’ wife, Alice, their young son Arthur and the wider Wallis family at their loss.”

Shaw said police were grateful to the many specialists and volunteers who provided invaluable support during the search for Wallis.

The tragic incident had been referred to the Coroner and TAIC was now investigating.

“Local police, LandSAR, Coastguard, the harbourmaster, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre, police divers, and the navy were among those involved.”

The body was retrieved about 10pm by the police national dive squad and Royal New Zealand Navy.

“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,” Shaw said.

Wallis, the son of Sir Tim Wallis, is survived by 5-year-old son, Arthur, and wife, Alice.

The brothers of Matthew Wallis have posted an emotional tribute to their sibling.

On Minaret Station’s Facebook page in a letter from Jonathan, Nick and Toby Wallis to “our industry friends and colleagues”, the brothers said Matthew was “one of four very tight brothers. We worked closely and laughed loudly together.

“Matthew left a lasting impression on everyone he met. His warm character and huge smile filled a room. He always took the time to make others feel special.”

Matthew played a critical role in the development and operations of the brothers’ Minaret Station tourism business, they said. “As so many of you know first hand, he was passionate about providing guests from all corners of the globe with the most quintessential of New Zealand experiences. He was an exceptional host and a highly skilled outdoorsman.”