Two killed in glider crash at Mt Tauhara, Taupo¯

Two people died after a glider crashed near Taupo¯ yesterday afternoon.

The accident at Mt Tauhara was reported to police about 2.45pm.

“Due to darkness, weather and location, the deceased and glider will remain in place overnight under police guard,” the police statement said.

The Tauhara Mountain Trust has placed a ra¯hui on the mountain for five days out of respect for the families. “This is effective immediately and the trust asks that the public and whanau respect the ra¯hui,” a statement said.

The ra¯hui will end at sunrise on Saturday, June 6.

Taupo¯ Gliding Club president Tim Norman called the accident “tragic and devastating”.

“We are devastated by the news,” he said. “The pilot was a friend and a colleague and we are grieving for the family of the passenger”.

Norman said he had no idea what caused the crash.

The Civil Aviation Authority and police are investigating.

St John Ambulance was notified about the accident, but were not required, a spokeswoman said.

Mt Tauhara, a dormant lava volcano, peaks at 1088m above sea level.

Three people were killed when a charter plane slammed into the mountain in 2005.

The twin-engined Piper Seneca plane from Auckland-based Christian Aviation was en-route from Kerikeri to Taupo when it crashed in low cloud, killing the pilot and two Australian passengers.

It had been on its approach to land at Taupo¯ Airport when it crashed about two-thirds of the way up Mt Tauhara.