28 Oct 2014

Man killed in helicopter crash named

7:08 pm on 28 October 2014

Police have named the man killed in a helicopter crash near Whanganui today as 56-year-old Peter William Robb.

The helicopter came down on a rural road north west of Whanganui.

The helicopter came down on a rural road north west of Whanganui. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

Emergency services were alerted about 9.40am that the helicopter had crashed on to a rural road near Brunswick, inland from Kai Iwi. Mr Robb, who was the only person on board, died at the scene.

Senior Sergeant Paul Baskett said Mr Robb was well liked for his work when it came to rescuing others.

"I do know that he was extremely well regarded by our search and rescue team, and they worked with him regularly," he said.

The site remains cordoned off as the police wait for the Civil Aviation Authority to complete its investigation.

Locals said it was foggy early in the day and they heard Mr Robb flying overhead.

A police spokesperson said the helicopter had been doing routine weed spraying, and the Agricultural Aviation Association said it appeared it hit a wire.

A Fire Service command centre and about half a dozen emergency service vehicles have been at the scene of the crash for most of the day.

The police have referred Mr Robb's death to the coroner.