Rescue chopper crashes into Waikato bush while en route to patient

A Waikato rescue helicopter crashed into the bush near Mount Pirongia, near Te Awamutu this evening.

The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the helicopter accident and said it will begin an investigation tomorrow.

At 5pm, a Hamilton-based rescue helicopter was en route to a patient about 15km west of Te Awamutu.

An incident that occurred during the flight led to a “heavy landing”, Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter chief operating officer Chris Moody said.

A pilot, critical care flight paramedic and crewman were all on board at the time.

Two more aircraft were sent to the scene to help. Their main goal was to find the patient and helicopter crew and safely and successfully remove them from their locations.

To assist the victims involved in the helicopter crash, the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter and the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter were dispatched.

Three male patients, thought to be in their 40s, 60s and 70s, were winched out by the crews.

They were flown to Waikato Hospital in a minor condition.

A civil aviation authority spokesperson told the Herald it has worked with the police to secure the helicopter overnight.

“Tomorrow our investigators will continue working with police and the operator to gather information about exactly what happened and why,” the spokesperson said.

“We are in contact with the operator and the accident has been reported to the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.”

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.