POLICE in New Zealand are conducting DNA tests on a body they believe is Hannah Timings from Toddington, after finding the wreckage of a helicopter.
Hannah, who was 28, and Kiwi pilot Campbell Montgomerie, 27, died in a helicopter crash in New Zealand in 2004, but the aircraft had not been recovered.
However, the Hughes 500 was discovered in Fiordland, a remote part of the country on the South Island, yesterday.
Police say the helicopter is the same Hughes 500 that went missing in 2004.
An extensive two-week search at the time of the crash failed to turn up any sign of the missing aircraft.
The wreckage was spotted in rugged terrain at the edge of the original search area by another helicopter pilot.
Police said they had recovered two bodies and were hoping to formally identify them by using DNA samples.
They said Hannah's family had been told and officers hoped the discovery would bring them some closure.
Former Pate's Grammar School pupil Hannah went missing in January 2004 while on a six-month trip.
There is a memorial bench for Hannah in Toddington.
She worked as a furniture buyer in London.
In 2006 Hannah's family won a battle for a £10,000 life insurance policy payout from Columbus.
Hannah's father Phil said the money had been divided between her brother Sam and sister Layla.
Hannah, who was 28, and Kiwi pilot Campbell Montgomerie, 27, died in a helicopter crash in New Zealand in 2004, but the aircraft had not been recovered.
However, the Hughes 500 was discovered in Fiordland, a remote part of the country on the South Island, yesterday.
Police say the helicopter is the same Hughes 500 that went missing in 2004.
An extensive two-week search at the time of the crash failed to turn up any sign of the missing aircraft.
The wreckage was spotted in rugged terrain at the edge of the original search area by another helicopter pilot.
Police said they had recovered two bodies and were hoping to formally identify them by using DNA samples.
They said Hannah's family had been told and officers hoped the discovery would bring them some closure.
Former Pate's Grammar School pupil Hannah went missing in January 2004 while on a six-month trip.
There is a memorial bench for Hannah in Toddington.
She worked as a furniture buyer in London.
In 2006 Hannah's family won a battle for a £10,000 life insurance policy payout from Columbus.
Hannah's father Phil said the money had been divided between her brother Sam and sister Layla.
