New Zealand plane crash dead identified

The Fletcher FU24 turbine-powered plane, operated by tourism company Skydive New Zealand, was carrying a pilot, four skydive instructors and four tourists.

Police named the tourists as Patrick Byrne, 26, from County Wexford, Ireland; Glen Bourke, 18, from Melbourne, Australia; Annita Kirsten, 23, from Germany; and Brad Coker, 24, from Farnborough in the United Kingdom.

The New Zealanders who died were pilot Chaminda Senadhira, 33, and skydiving instructors Adam Bennett, 47, Michael Suter, 32, Christopher McDonald, 62, and Rodney Miller, 55, from Greymouth.

Coroner Richard McElrea said the bodies could not be taken to Christchurch, the nearest major city, because it remained in a state of emergency after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake Saturday. Instead, they will be flown to Auckland.

“There will be matters of identification which may involve dentistry,” he said.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) staff said Sunday they were unable to fly to the crash due to bad weather but hoped to sift through the wreckage Monday after driving to the airstrip.

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