Dental News - British dentist couple die in New Zealand helicopter crash

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 24. November 2015

save

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: Last Saturday, the wreck of a helicopter was found in a crevasse on Fox Glacier, a glacier on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Although it is still unclear what caused the crash, the New Zealand Police have confirmed that the pilot and the six passengers died. On board the aircraft were a retired dentist from the UK and his wife.

On Sunday, the police released the names of the people assumed to have been on the helicopter when it crashed. Among the victims were Britons Nigel Edwin and Cynthia Charlton from Hampshire. As reported online by the Daily Mail, the 66-year-old man was a retired dentist and his 70-year-old wife used to work in a dental surgery in Totton in the UK.

The 28-year-old pilot, two young women from New South Wales, and another couple in their fifties from Cambridge in the UK also died in the crash.

The recovery teams were initially unable to reach the crash site, which is near the top of the icy glacier, owing to difficult terrain and weather conditions. The operation to recover the victims is a technically challenging task requiring specialist skills, according to the authorities.

Yesterday, post-mortem procedures were completed on the victims recovered from the Fox Glacier helicopter crash. Police confirmed that the bodies of three women and a man have been recovered. Positive identification of those individuals is still progressing, stated the New Zealand Police.

Bad weather is hampering efforts to recover the remaining three bodies, but authorities hope to recover them today, as the weather conditions are expected to improve.

To post a reply please login or register

Dentist starts petition asking for better dental care in New Zealand

HAMILTON, New Zealand: The horrific state in which many New Zealanders find their teeth has been likened, by some professionals, to those from developing ...

Interview on human factors and how a helicopter crash led to improved dental treatment outcomes

During the upcoming 2021 European Association for Osseointegration (EAO) Digital Days, Dr Franck Renouard will explain how human factors influence treatment...

COVID-19: How are Australian and New Zealand dentists faring?

SYDNEY, Australia: Though Australia and New Zealand have, thus far, been able to avoid the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, both nations’ economies have ...

Recent study suggests sugar tax is needed in New Zealand

DUNEDIN, New Zealand: The debate around sugar and its ill effects on society and how to address this have taken many forms, one of the main measures being ...

COVID-19 update: Australian and New Zealand dentists experience tighter restrictions

SYDNEY, Australia: After months of relative success in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 across both Australia and New Zealand, recent developments have ...

New Zealand Dental Association wants more dental students

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Besides a persistent dental crisis, New Zealand is facing an annual migration net loss of tens of thousands of young working age ...

SARS-CoV-2 update: Australian and New Zealand dentists proceed with caution

SYDNEY, Australia: As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to rage across the world, the Antipodean nations of Australia and New Zealand have, by and large, ...

Obesity in New Zealand may be connected with negative effects on oral health

NEW PLYMOUTH, New Zealand: With its good weather and outdoor-focused style of life, it seems unexpected that obesity would be an issue in New Zealand. ...

New Zealand increases dental grant after 25 years

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: Oral healthcare campaigners in New Zealand are celebrating an increase in the special needs dental grant and a broadening of the ...

New Zealand children miss annual dental check-ups

MANAWATŪ, New Zealand: Frequent dental check-ups are important to maintain good oral health. However, in the Manawatū district on the North Island of New ...

Lower socio-economic groups in New Zealand cannot afford urgently needed dental procedures

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Socially disadvantaged adults in New Zealand cannot afford dental treatments, even if in great pain, resulting in dangerous ...

Education

Live webinar
Tue. 5 May 2026
1:00 pm EST (New York)