Seven people are dead after a helicopter crash at Fox Glacier on the South Island's West Coast.
Seven tourists were on board, including one pilot.
The Rescue Coordination Centre was alerted to the crash just before 11am today.
Rescuers have located the wreckage in a crevasse on Fox Glacier, but have been unable to reach the helicopter due to difficult terrain.
The manager of Fox Heli Services, Mike Nollan, has confirmed it is his company involved in the crash. It's understood the helicopter was operated by south Westland firm Alpine Adventures.
Four rescue helicopters – two from Christchurch, one from Fox Glacier and one from Greymouth – responded to the incident.
The CAA says the Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an investigation.
Police will coordinate the recovery and scene examination, which they say is likely to take "some days".
They will also be working to locate next-of-kin of the victims.
The crash comes only months after pilot Brad Maclachlan crashed his helicopter near Poerua Glacier in June.
Mr Machlachlan suffered serious injuries after becoming trapped, and his two passengers also received minor injuries.
In 2010 nine people were killed when a skydiving plane crashed at the end of the runway of Fox Glacier airport. Four were tourists and five were locals.
Fox Glacier is 13km long and is listed as one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.
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