TVNZ crew in ’copter crash

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 6

TVNZ crew in ’copter crash

By

JENNY LONG

A member of a Christchurch TVNZ crew was trapped under water after the helicopter from which he was filming crashed into the sea near Wellington last evening. Mr Wayne Williams, a cameraman, and Mr Chris King, a director, were filming a commercial for Cardinal Network, a Christchurch computer company.

The helicopter, flown by Jeoff Sayer, of Wellington, was flying low above the water, following a train along waterfront tracks near Porirua. The TVNZ manager in Christchurch, Mr Stephen McElrea, said the helicopter apparently went out of control and dropped into the harbour. Mr Williams was held in the helicopter by his harness, and had “about an inch of air below the roof.”

Mr King was able to swim free, and eventually managed to release the harness to free Mr Williams. All three men were plucked from the sea by boats that were already in the area. It was a relief to hear that everybody was fit and well apart from a few bruises, Mr McElrea said. The camera was eventually recovered from the harbour floor, and the National Film Unit was attempting to salvage the film. Messrs King and Williams were on their last day of filming in Wellington yesterday, and are expected to fly back to Christchurch today.