![\"Pilot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4JOFHQX_Untitled_design_png.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nPilot Tim Brown (left) and guide Sean Roach named as two dead in Mt Aspiring helicopter crash.
\nPhoto: SUPPLIED\n<\/p>\n
Pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach have been named as the pair who died in a helicopter crash in Mt Aspiring National Park.<\/a><\/p>\n The helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350 B3, belonged to The Alpine Group,<\/a> which is owned by the Wallis family.<\/p>\n In a statement, The Alpine Group confirmed one of its helicopters was involved in the crash in the upper Te Naihi River in South Westland on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n A company spokesperson said the men were was taking part in a guided hunting operation in clear and calm conditions.<\/p>\n “We are devastated to confirm that both pilot Tim Brown and guide Sean Roach were tragically killed. Both were highly experienced and valued members of a close-knit team,” they said.<\/p>\n “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time.”<\/p>\n The company says it will cooperate fully with transport investigators to determine exactly what happened.<\/p>\n Cromwell detective sergeant Sarah Waugh said police received reports of the crash at 9.50am on Sunday.<\/p>\n “The helicopter was a chartered craft, and the occupants were on a hunting trip,” she said.<\/p>\n “Three others from the hunting group were located on the ground and taken to safety.”<\/p>\n The helicopter wreckage would be removed in the coming days and taken to Wellington for further analysis.<\/p>\n “We have confidence in those investigations and will cooperate fully to determine exactly what happened,” the Alpine Group spokesperson said.<\/p>\n The company is run by brothers Toby and Jonathan Wallis, sons of the late aviation pioneer Sir Tim Wallis.<\/a><\/p>\n The group thanked police, Rescue Coordination Centre, Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, the Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue team and emergency services for their response to the crash.<\/p>\n The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are investigating the crash.<\/p>\n Two of Sir Tim’s sons, Matthew<\/a> and Nick,<\/a> died in separate helicopter crashes in 2018.<\/p>\n