A helicopter involved in fighting the Tasman fires has crashed this afternoon. A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said the chopper went down at 2.49pm while working in the Pigeon Valley area. The pilot - the sole occupant - was treated at the scene then transported to hospital with moderate injuries. The spokesman said "all aircraft operations have been suspended". Weather was reportedly fine at the time, with light north to northwesterlies.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 17, 2019 02:41 UTC