Police have confirmed one person died in a light plane crash near Lake Hāwea yesterday, with another person critically injured.
Emergency services were called to an area east of the lake about 1.30pm.
One of the plane’s two occupants was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in critical condition.
The second was located deceased at the scene, according to police.
“The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been notified, and a scene guard remained in place overnight. Police will make inquiries on behalf of both the CAA and the coroner.”
Rescue crews at the scene of the crash were assisted by Fire and Emergency staff with cutting equipment due to the state of the plane.
Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre told 1News yesterday it responded to a light plane crash in Dingleburn Valley, on the eastern side of Lake Hāwea.
The injured person was helicoptered out at about 3.30pm, the organisation said.