Four British tourists and two Australians killed along with pilot as helicopter crashes into New Zealand glacier
- Seven people have died in a helicopter crash in Fox Glacier, New Zealand
- Poor weather conditions and rugged terrain are delaying retrieval efforts
- The six passengers include four Britons and two Australians
- A local said conditions for flying were poor when the crash occured
- There have been six helicopter crashes in the last five years at Fox Glacier
Four British tourists and two Australians have been killed when their sightseeing helicopter crashed into a deep ravine while flying over a New Zealand glacier.
The single-engine Squirrel helicopter plummeted into the Fox Glacier on the western coast of New Zealand's south Island.
A rescue team confirmed there were no survivors and it may take several days to recover the bodies.
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The wreckage of a helicopter that crashed killing seven people on Fox Glacier, on the western coast of New Zealand's south island
A shocking photograph has emerged of the mangled wreckage of a commercial helicopter which crashed in bad weather, claiming the lives of all seven people on board.
The helicopter is seen wedged between two huge blocks of ice after it plunged into Fox Glacier, on the western coast of New Zealand's south island on Saturday, 1pm local time.
Debris is spread across hundreds of metres and scorch marks are seen well above the carnage where the impact occurred.
The poor conditions and fading light are delaying emergency services from reaching the wreckage and bodies of the victims.
Police have confirmed the retrieval operation for the helicopter operated by a popular tourist company, south Westland firm Alpine Adventures, is 'likely to take some days.'
Inspector John Canning said: 'A helicopter carrying seven people including the pilot has crashed at the top of the Fox Glacier.
'We have been to the site and there is no sign of life and tomorrow we hope to recover the bodies of those involved."
Canning said the recovery effort could take time because of the atrocious weather.
'I'm not going to risk any more lives, we've lost seven. The terrain at the top of the glacier is very rough, as you can imagine it's icy and there are crevasses - it's quite dangerous.'
Poor weather conditions and rugged terrain are delaying rescue efforts
Seven people are dead after a helicopter crash in Fox Glacier, on the western coast of New Zealand's south island (stock image)
Rob Jewell, a spokesman for Alpine Adventures told TVNZ: ‘We are still piecing together all the details - once confirmed we will put out a statement.
'It's very sad news. We are comforting family, friends and staff in what is a very difficult time.'
A spokesman for the New Zealand Police said: 'Police believe the passengers in today's helicopter crash on Fox Glacier were six foreign tourists.
'It is believed two were Australians and four were from the United Kingdom. Formal identification of those people will take some time.
'Police have been liaising with the embassies of the countries concerned to ensure the next of kin are advised of the situation.'
A spokesman for Alpine Adventures, which operated the single-engine Squirrel helicopter, confirmed it was on a scenic flight with six passengers.
New Zealand's Transport Accident Investigation Commission said it would investigate the cause of the crash and had sent four investigators to Fox Glacier.
The Foreign Office confirmed today that it has been in contact with the victims' families to notify them of the accident.
The crashed helicopter was a single-engine Eurocopter Squirrel operated by Alpine Adventures (file photo)
Alpine Adventures advertises itself as an 'experienced helicopter flight-seeing company providing visitors with a diverse range of South Island scenic helicopter flights and private charters in some of (the) most spectacular alpine and coastal regions of New Zealand'.
Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn described weather conditions around the glacier at the time of the accident as 'terrible' with heavy rain and poor visibility.
'It wouldn't be a good day to be flying helicopters,' he said.
'Everything is against a rescue [mission]. It will be cold up there. And the problem is amplified by the cloud cover.'
A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We can confirm the deaths of four British nationals in New Zealand on November 21. We are liaising closely with local authorities, and are providing consular assistance.'
Earlier four helicopters responded to crash and a paramedic and rescuer were winched down to examine the scene.
Inspector John Canning commented on the recovery mission saying he was 'not going to risk any more lives, we’ve lost seven.'
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand communications manager Mike Richards confirmed the crash.
The crash was the sixth to take place in Fox Glacier since 2010 - after nine people died when a skydiving plane crashed at the end of the runway of Fox Glacier airport. The most recent crash took place in June this year.
In 2009, two Australian tourists were killed on the glacier when ice fell on them.
Fox Glacier is 13 kilometres long and described as one of the world's most accessible glaciers for thrill seekers and explorers.
A rescue operation is underway, with four helicopters being called in to help with the process
Fox Glacier is 13 kilometres long and described as one of the world's most accessible glaciers for thrill seekers and explorers (stock image)
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3328029/At-seven-people-feared-dead-tourist-helicopter-crashes-Fox-Glacier-New-Zealand.html#ixzz3s7mGupm7
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