News from NZ Police
The body of the pilot of a helicopter that crashed yesterday has been located in the Omaru Valley south-east of Turangi.

The Robinson helicopter failed to return from a trip to drop off hunters into the area yesterday afternoon and the wreckage was spotted from the air at approximately 7pm.

This morning a fixed wing aircraft and the Taupo Rescue Helicopter assisted police search and rescue personnel to try to search for the pilot. The rescue helicopter was able to winch six police officers and a police dog into the area and at approximately 11.30am they located the body about 50 metres from the wreckage.

He was Mark Duncan Didsbury, aged 39, from the Wairarapa. His body was airlifted out of the valley this afternoon.

Police staff remained at the scene throughout the afternoon working alongside inspectors from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission who will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.