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Friends and colleagues of one of the Britons killed in a New Zealand helicopter crash have said they are devastated by her death.
Addenbrooke’s Hospital’s head of radiotherapy Katharine Walker, 51, was among seven people – four of them British – who died when the aircraft came down at one of the country’s best-known tourist spots.
A spokesman for Cambridge University Hospitals, which runs Addenbrooke’s, said: “Everyone at the hospital is devastated by the news and our thoughts go out to Kath’s family at this very sad time.
“Kath was a much respected member of staff who had worked at Addenbrooke’s for 23 years. We know many of our staff are going to be hit hard by this tragic news and we will be offering additional support for them.”
It is believed Nigel Charlton, 66, and his wife Cynthia, 70, both from Hampshire, were also on board the aircraft when it went down at Fox Glacier off the South Island.
Ms Walker’s partner Andrew Virco, 50, of Cambridge, was the other Briton on the flight.
The 28-year-old pilot, Mitchell Gameren, was from Queenstown – while the two remaining passengers,Sovannmony Leang, 27, and Josephine Gibson, 29, were from South Australia.
Reports in New Zealand said Mr Gameren was believed to be an experienced flyer.
The recovery operation has been halted for the day because weather conditions at Fox Glacier have deteriorated.
A Tasman police spokeman said: “The operation is extremely challenging and the safety of those working at the scene is of paramount importance.”
He added: “Our thoughts are with the victims’ families at this difficult time.”
Weather conditions at the time of the crash have been described as “not ideal for helicopter flying”.
Images of the crash site show the aircraft buried between walls of ice in a deep crevasse some 2,500ft (762m) up the glacier – with debris spread over several hundred metres.
The helicopter belongs to Fox Glacier Heliservices, which also trades as Alpine Adventures.
It is one of many companies that run helicopter and private charter sightseeing trips for tourists around the eight-mile-long glacier.
In a statement the firm said: “Fox Heliservices’ thoughts are with the families of the passengers and pilot.
“The pilot was a very valued member of our team.
“The New Zealand Police and Civil Aviation Authority have taken over the investigation.”
On Saturday, the UK’s Foreign Office confirmed four Britons had died, and said it was helping their families.
Courtesy of Sky News
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