An experienced Australian pilot competing in the South Island Gliding Championships died in a crash near Lake Hawea yesterday afternoon. ``At this stage we have limited information around the crash but we can confirm he was a high-hour pilot from Melbourne, with in excess of 4500 hours in his logbook,'' Gliding New Zealand spokesman Nigel Davy said. The pilot took off from the Omarama competition base. Otago Lakes central area commander Inspector Olaf Jensen said police received a report of a glider crash in the Hunter Range, near Lake Hawea, about 5.30pm. The sole occupant of the glider was found dead by emergency services at the scene.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 21, 2017 15:56 UTC