Updated less than a minute ago
3:35 PM Tuesday Feb 14, 2017
A helicopter has crashed in Christchurch’s Port Hills, where authorities are battling a huge fire.
Police say emergency services are at the scene, near Sugar Loaf, with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
A statement sent out just after 3pm said: “Police are attending a helicopter crash in Port Hills, Christchurch.
“Emergency services are at the scene and further information will be released when it becomes available.”
A Fire Service spokeswoman said they were still waiting to get more information about the crash and would release a statement then.
Twelve helicopters have been in the Port Hills since Monday night fighting two wild fires.
St John communications advisor Ian Henderson said it was alerted at 2.16pm.
It has sent an ambulance and first response unit, he said.
Through tears, a woman who answered the phone at Christchurch Helicopters, where former All Black captain Richie McCaw is a shareholder and worked for the past two years, said it was not one of their choppers.
However, she referred all calls to police.
More to come.
– Additional reporting Christchurch Star
Source : New Zealand Herald
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