Minister to visit Fox Glacier crash site
BY ANDREA VANCE
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National
Transport minister Steven Joyce is to visit the site where nine people died in a plane crash.
The skydive plane crashed shortly after takeoff at Fox Glacier on Saturday, killing all on board.
The crash was New Zealand's worst aviation disaster in 17 years.
Mr Joyce will travel to the site on Friday morning. He will also meet with local emergency services personnel.
Investigators have warned that the crash inquiry could take up to a year.
The victims were Skydive director Rodney Miller, 55, from Greymouth, pilot Chaminda Senadhira, 33, from Queenstown, and dive masters Adam Bennett, 47, from Australia but living in Motueka, Michael Suter, 32, from New Plymouth, Christopher McDonald, 62, from Mapua, and Rodney Miller, 55, from Greymouth.
The four tourists who died were Patrick Byrne, 26, from County Wexford, Ireland, Glen Bourke, 18, from Coburg in Victoria, Australia, Annita Kirsten, 23, from Germany, and Brad Coker, 24, from Farnborough, England.
Mr Joyce will be accompanied by will be accompanied by Westland Mayor Maureen Pugh and MP Chris Auchinvole.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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