5 Aug 2019

NZ investigator to lead probe into fatal Fiji chopper crash

11:34 am on 5 August 2019

A New Zealand investigator is due to arrive Fiji today to help with the investigation into a fatal helicopter crash there.

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Photo: 123RF

Fiji's government said Andrew McGregor had been appointed as the investigator-in-charge of Friday's accident near Savusavu.

A search for the wreckage and bodies of those lost is continuing into its third day.

The helicopter went missing over Vanua Levu's Natewa Bay on Friday night.

It is thought to have gone down at sea as it was transporting a two-year-old child from Naitaubua island to a hospital in Labasa, accompanied by their mother.

The body of the mother was found on Saturday.

The search was called off early last night because of approaching bad weather, but resumed again this morning.

It's focussed on a stretch of coast from Korotasere to Saqani, after some debris was spotted this weekend.

Debris has reportedly been found around Natewa Bay, on the Fiji island of Vanua Levu.

Debris has reportedly been found around Natewa Bay, on the Fiji island of Vanua Levu. Photo: Google Maps