Divers join recovery for crashed helicopter

Police divers will bolster the search for a helicopter that crashed into the sea near Batemans Bay, claiming the life of a female passenger.The wreck - and any clues to its demise - remained submerged yesterday as poor visibility hampered recovery efforts.The Robinson R44 ditched on Sunday evening while carrying an elderly Malua Bay couple.The 72-year-old pilot was pulled from the water unhurt. His 70-year-old wife died.The helicopter wreck was believed to have ditched only about 40m off a headland between Circuit Beach and Lilli Pilli Beach, Batemans Bay Police Inspector Greg Flood said yesterday, but conditions had been unhelpful."Polair and Water Police are unable to locate the wreckage today and police divers have been called down to assist," he said.The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will examine the wreck, once it's recovered, to determine what caused the crash. The bureau has not yet interviewed the pilot.The four-seat helicopter went into the sea about 6.15pm Sunday.Volunteers from Batemans Bay and Broulee Surf Life Saving clubs responded in three inflatable rescue boats.Two Batemans Bay lifesavers, Anthony Bellette, 20, and Jack Prichard, 18, found the woman floating near debris shortly before 7pm.They attempted resuscitation until paramedics took over on Lilli Pilli Beach, but she could not be revived.The pilot was winched from the water, taken to Batemans Bay Hospital with mild hypothermia and later discharged.Names had not been released last night.