Navy assistance sought in search for helicopter

Police have requested assistance from the Navy in the operation to locate and recover the helicopter believed to have crashed in Lake Sumner, with one person on board.

The helicopter is believed to be in deep water, and unable to be reached by dive teams.

Canterbury Police Operations Manager, Inspector Craig McKay, says a request has been made to Defence Forces for any assets and expertise the Navy can provide to assist the recovery operation.

"We are now reasonably confident that we know the approximate location of the aircraft, based on the oil slick and debris that has been found so far.

"We believe the lake in this area is up to 125 metres in depth - which is well beyond the level at which our conventional dive squad can operate."

Inspector McKay says search operations at the site were suspended overnight and will resume once further assistance is available.

"Our search teams have worked extremely well in difficult conditions over the last few days. They have confirmed the likely location, and completed shoreline and ground searches, and have now been temporarily stood down.

"As soon as further assistance is available we will resume the operation to recover the pilot and the aircraft, if this can be achieved."

Inspector McKay says a possible option would be to use a submersible remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with a grappling hook, which could be used to manoeuvre the aircraft into shallower water, where it could be retrieved by divers.