Arrowtown, Central Lakes District Plane Crash - Deceased named

Police have identified the male who died in a light plane crash earlier today, near Arrowtown, in the Central Lakes District, as Ian Douglas SLOAN a 59 year old Tauranga man.

Mr SLOAN was the registered owner of the Cessna Skyhawk aircraft which was believed to be approaching a private grass airstrip when it crashed onto the Arrowtown Golf Course.

There were 3 persons on board the plane and despite attempts to resuscitate Mr SLOAN he was declared deceased at the scene by attending Medical staff.

The remaining two occupants, a male in his 30's and a female in her 60's were transported to Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown before being airlifted to Dunedin Hospital. Their injuries are described as moderate but both are believed to be in a stable condition.

The cause of the crash is unknown at this time with a number of witnesses yet to be formally spoken to by Police.

Representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority from Wellington will visit the site of the crash on Tuesday afternoon before the aircrafts removal and examination.

The Coroner has been advised and has directed that a Post Mortem examination of the deceased be conducted tomorrow at Dunedin.