Air crash investigators are appealing for witnesses to this afternoon's fatal helicopter accident near Kaikōura.
Photo: Stuff Limited
An Airbus Helicopter EC120 was travelling from Christchurch with five people on board, including three children, when it lost control and crashed into shallow water close to the beach at Kekerengu.
Investigators said they wanted to speak to witnesses - especially anyone who may have caught what happened on a dash-cam or other recording device.
Two of the people on board the helicopter died in the crash.
Clarence resident Ian Mehrtens was among those who rushed to the site after watching the helicopter fall from the sky.
He said two of the three children appeared to be about seven and 10 years old, and one was a teenager.