Three local men survive 'chopper crash

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 45, 1 May 1984, Page 3

Three local men survive 'chopper crash

A helicooter owned and piloted by Maurice Cole of Ruatiti, which was reported missing last Wednesday evening, was discovered after an extensive search, the following morning at ten o'clock. Mr Cole had landed in the back blocks behind Pipiriki with his two passenagers, opossum trappers Mr John Brown of Ohakune and Mr Fred Temiha of Rangataua. They were taking off at approximately 11.30am when it is understood one of the skids on the helicopter caught on a rope lying on the ground. The rope caused the aircraft to pull to one side resulting in the rotor blade hitting adjacent trees and catapulting the helicopter into the ground.

Mr Cole was unhurt in the incident although damage to his helicopter was apparently extensive. Whilst Mr Temiha stayed at the crash site, Mr Cole and Mr Brown, armed with an emergency locator transmitter, set out in a northwesterly direction towards a trapper's hut. Meanwhile police and searchers had ascertained through the Lands and Survey Department, grid references for possible landing sites of the aircraft. The trappers had been issued with permits from New Plymouth and had luckily discussed with an officer there, possible landing places. The helicopter was discovered along with Mr

Temiha, and it took only a further hour to locate Mr Cole and Mr Brown, both safe and well. Through sign language, they indicated to rescuers that they intended to continue on foot to the hut. By nightfall, however, they had still not arrived and mystery heightened when their emergency transmitter was reactivated. Heavy rain lashed the area overnight thus preventing search teams from recommencing a ground search until the following morning. They were finally found and lifted out of dense bush west of the Wanganui River by a Wanganiu Aero Work's helicopter, piloted by Lisa Patterson, at about 1pm on Friday.