Four bodies recovered from Fox Glacier crash

Author: Emily Murphy, NZME. News,
Publish Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2015, 1:55pm

UPDATED 8.05PM: Police have confirmed four bodies have been recovered from the crash site at Fox Glacier.

LISTEN: Newstalk ZB reporter Emily Murphy joins Larry Williams to discuss developments in the Fox Glacier crash site operation

Police, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, and a spokesperson for Alpine Adventures have fronted a press conference in the township.

The operation to recover the remaining three bodies is on hold till Wednesday at this stage, due to deteriorating weather.

Inspector John Canning said a post mortem will take place in Christchurch tomorrow morning, while rescue crews in Fox Glacier work on their next move.

He said a plan will be released shortly outlining the next steps in the recovery.

John Canning said the plan will detail the numerous challenges alpine teams face in the coming days.

Image of the plans for the safe staging of crews on the Fox Glacier crash site when the operation resumes. pic.twitter.com/YFda88B0yQ
— Newstalk ZB (@NewstalkZB) November 23, 2015

All seven people on board the helicopter were killed, including four Britons, two Australians, and local pilot Mitch Gameren. Three bodies have so far been recovered.

A staged platform with be constructed on the ice, so that rescue crews have a stable area to work from.

LandSAR team leader Marius Bron said tricky terrain makes the operation challenging.

"To move around up there you're on rope all time, or you're on winch," he said.

"If you imagine a giant bowl of popcorn, the ice is all stacked up and unstable, lots of gaps in there, that's what we're dealing with."

Police said they would need a significant window of good weather, but already-rough conditions could get worse over the coming days.

Inspector John Canning said they're working closely with family members of those who died.

"I'm aware a lot want to come here, but no decisions have been made yet. The point that may be holding that up is the weather."

It could be 18 months before the investigation into what caused the crash is concluded.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) communications manager Peter Northcote said a team of four, including two investigators, a helicopter engineering expert and himself are on the ground.

TAIC staff are continuing their evidence gathering and formal interviews, including talks with the helicopter operators and other chopper firms in the area.

They will also establish the aircraft's maintenance history, contact the manufacturer, and speak to people connected with pilot Gameren in order to "build a solid evidential base" for the inquiry.

Police released the names of those people killed in the crash yesterday. They were: