Three killed as New Zealand air force helicopter crashes

WELLINGTON - At least three people were killed and one seriously injured after a helicopter of the New Zealand air force crashed, officials said Sunday.

The Iroquois helicopter of the Royal New Zealand Air Force crashed while enroute from Ohakea to Anzac Day commemorations in Wellington.

Police and ambulance services said they were called to the scene on farmland near the Paekakariki Hill Rd, 40km north east of Wellington about 6.45am.

One of the crew members, who has been removed from the rubble alive but seriously injured, has been taken to Wellington Hospital, tvnz.co.nz reported.