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Four US tourists die in NZ chopper crash

WELLINGTON: A helicopter flying four American tourists over the mountains and lakes of southwestern New Zealand crashed on Tuesday, killing all on board, including the female pilot.

Police said the Hughes 530F helicopter, operated by Fiordland Helicopters Ltd, crashed on the edge of Lake Manapouri, in the southwest corner of the South Island. In a statement police said they were still trying to notify relatives in the United States before releasing the names of the passengers, but said two were female and two male.

Weather in the area was described as fine, with no wind, but police said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash.

Power transmission company Transpower said the helicopter clipped one of four high voltage power transmission lines spanning the lake's west arm near its Manapouri station.

But it was not clear if the aircraft had struck the lines while in flight or during its descent.-Reuters