Oamaru Police Release Name of Glider Pilot

Oamaru Police have released the name of the man who died as a result of a glider crash early yesterday evening.

He was 60-year-old Michael John McKellow (known as Joe), of Hororata, Selwyn District.

The crash occurred around 6.20pm yesterday on a mountain called Snowy Top, approximately 10.5 kilometres northwest of Omarama airfield.

Mr McKellow was piloting the fixed-wing glider when it appeared to lose altitude rapidly, before crashing on a gentle slope on the western side of the peak.

He was the sole occupant of the glider and participating in a private flight with a friend who was piloting another glider in the same locality.

The friend witnessed the crash and notified emergency services.

Civil Aviation Authority investigators are soon to arrive at the site to examine the scene and investigate the crash.

Mr McKellow was an experienced and competent pilot who had flown internationally and recently returned from flying in the United States.

Oamaru Police have referred the matter to the coroner.