13 Feb 2008

Two pilots seriously injured in helicopter crash in Papua New Guinea

11:01 am on 13 February 2008

Two pilots have been seriously injured when their helicopter crashed while trying to land at a remote mining site in Papua New Guinea.

A Medevac rescue chopper has flown New Zealander Wayne Hartley and PNG national David Inau to the capital, Port Moresby, where they are being treated in hospital.

Both are reported to be in a serious but stable condition.

Tony McNabb, who flew the rescue mission, said it appeared the pilots' chopper had clipped trees before crashing into a creek when trying to land near Safija village in PNG's Central Province.