Bodies recovered from crashed microlight

The bodies of two men killed when a microlight crashed in Abel Tasman National Park yesterday have been recovered.

Nelson police Inspector Hugh Flower said the bodies of pilot Alex Charles, 44, and a 36-year-old Dutch tourist were winched out of the park shortly before 4pm today.

Police would not release the tourist's name until his next-of-kin had been informed.

The wreckage of the plane was located this morning after the pair failed to return from a sightseeing trip yesterday afternoon.

Mr Charles was an employee of Tasman Sky Adventures, which offers tourists tandem hang-gliding and microlight flights, according to its website.

The Civil Aviation Authority was at the scene investigating and would likely return tomorrow, Mr Flower said.

Police found the men's bodies in the pod of their microlight shortly after 8.30 this morning.

Mr Charles and his passenger took off in the microlight from Motueka yesterday afternoon on a sightseeing tour.

A search was launched when they failed to return.

Aerial searchers spotted a wing in the bush yesterday and two crews of ground searchers began combing the park last night.

They were reinforced by two helicopters and five further ground crews this morning.

The microlight pod was found near the wing.

- with NZPA

- NZPA