Driver Wanaka believes to have died in an accident

Wanaka pilot, missing since yesterday following a helicopter accident, is presumed dead and rescue efforts are now focused on recovering his body

Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw has officially confirmed the identity of the missing driver this afternoon. 19659003] The helicopter that crashed into Lake Wanaka belonged to Matt Wallis, son of Warbirds against Wanaka founder, Sir Tim Wallis.

The helicopter was part of the Alpine Helicopters fleet belonging to the Wallis family. Today, Sgt Shaw, a detective, said Wallis was gone when he was delivering supplies to a field pavilion.

Police believe that Wallis died in the accident and is currently undertaking a recovery operation to return his body to his family.

The National Dive Team arrived in Wanaka around 12:30 pm and left the coast at 13:50 to begin their search.

Clothes were found but the police have not yet identified whether it was related to Mr. Wallis. No other significant wreckage has been found since yesterday.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult was informed that the missing man was Matt Wallis and the community was devastated

"The whole Wallis family is well known in the community, they are loved and respected. "

Boult said that he knew Sir Tim very well and that his heart and that of the Wallis family were very grateful to him.

" It is very difficult to put words on these things, but "

A search that began at about 1:30 pm Saturday was suspended overnight but resumed this morning.

Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw said that the helicopter had left the scene. Wanaka Airport for 15 minutes "A research focused on Stevensons Island resumed this morning, including police boats, LandSARs and coastguards," said Sgt Shaw.

Debris of choppers were discovered on an island island. naka after the rescue center was alerted to a Robinson helicopter carrying a person who had disappeared from his tracking system.

Three helicopters from the same company traced the trajectory of the missing chopper and the spotted wreck on the coastline of the neighboring Stevenson Island. Chris Henshaw, senior search and rescue officer in New Zealand, confirmed that the wreckage was that of a Robinson R44 helicopter.

The Sea Rescue Coordination Center, Police and Coastguard The mission had to be suspended until the morning

"Another team will land on Stevenson Island where the" "" it will be seen that debris could be found if additional information can be gleaned, "Henshaw said Saturday. He said that there was a person aboard the helicopter when he disappeared.

Six helicopters were involved in the search, including the company's three helicopters. A police spokesman said he received information about a shot down helicopter, but the New Zealand rescue coordination center is leading the operation.

Meteorologist Metservice Ravi Kandula said that it was a cloudy day. with reduced visibility "since about noon in Wanaka.

There had been occasional continuous rain, and the clouds had fallen to about 1000-1200 feet.

Although there were some bursts late morning, the wind had not been spectacular.

The Transport Accidents Investigation Board (TAIC) opened an investigation into the alleged accident.

The Chief Accident Investigator, Captain Tim Burfoot, said the Commission had appointed a team of two investigators.

The Commission opens an investigation when it finds that the circumstances of a accident or incident have or are likely to have significant impact on transportation, safety, or where the investigation may allow the board to make findings or recommendations to improve safety

TAIC put the helicopters Robinson opts on its watchlist – the highest alert possible – in 2016.

The Commission called for further audits of Robinson helicopters, among other recommendations to promote machine safety.

The Department of Conservation suspended the use of Robinson Helicopters in November 2016 for safety reasons and has the additional annual cost of using other types of helicopters to Robinsons is $ 350,000

Robinson helicopters represent 35% of the New Zealand fleet, but 49% of accidents, 64% of fatal accidents and seven fatal accidents caused by the mast

The Wanaka Lake is the fourth largest lake in New Zealand, with 192 m 2 and an estimated depth of 300 m.

ke is used for adventure tourism all year

The stealing career of the father of the missing man, Sir Tim Wallis, ended in 1996 after a fatal accident in one of his Spitfire fighters at Wanaka Airport

– reportage by Otago Daily Times and NZME.