Award-winning photographer suffered ‘significant injuries’
An award-winning photographer who survived a helicopter crash while travelling with a bride and groom on a wedding shoot has a spinal injury and broken ribs, arm and feet.
Rachel Jordan and the newly married couple were heading off to take photos when the chopper they were in crashed down on one of the fairways at the Terrace Downs Golf Resort in rural Canterbury at 3.05pm on Saturday.
Three people suffered serious injuries and were taken to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter. The fourth person suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance.
A Givealittle page set up yesterday said Jordan had significant injuries and faced a long recovery period.
‘‘Rachel has spinal fractures and has had surgery. She also has five fractured ribs, lung laceration, fractured sternum, fractured arm in a few places, fractured feet,’’ the page says.
‘‘Rach has been able to move her legs but is having trouble with her feet and cannot move them, but that could change as swelling around her spinal cord goes down.’’
She is described as a ‘‘wonderful wife and mother, as well as an incredibly talented photographer’’.
Jordan has won several New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography Iris Awards for her work. In a media statement to the New Zealand Herald, the company that owns the helicopter, Wyndon Aviation, said it was ‘‘unaware of any causal factors in respect of this accident’’. ‘‘We have, however, undertaken to work closely with the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and authorities who are investigating the circumstances behind yesterday’s accident.’’
Civil Aviation Authority investigators were back at the scene yesterday examining the wreckage, a spokesman said.
‘‘This will help us identify whether there are any safety issues which need to be promptly addressed by the CAA and helicopter operators.’’
The crash was witnessed by some golfers, who rushed to help alongside resort staff.