Power lines a ‘deathtrap’
A helicopter crash that has claimed a pilot’s life did a ‘‘big nosedive’’ after getting its skids caught on power lines, says a witness.
The accident happened in the French Pass area, near D’Urville Island, Marlborough, with police receiving reports at about 5.20pm on Friday.
The skipper of a fishing boat, who would not be named, said he watched as the white helicopter flew overhead and collided with power lines on the northeast side of French Pass. ‘‘It was flying level and it just nosedived.’’
He recalled thinking ‘‘that’s way too steep’’ to be a normal flying manoeuvre.
The helicopter disappeared behind a small ridge and crashed into the sea, he said.
Boats in the area came across debris in the water. A local paua diver located the body in the submerged wreckage. Police had not yet released the pilot’s name.
The skipper of the fishing boat, who was familiar with the area, described the power lines as a ‘‘death trap’’ and ‘‘an accident waiting to happen’’. They were unmarked and difficult to see.
The Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter was sent to the scene, guiding a boat to an oil slick where the helicopter went down.