Posted at: 06/10/2009 10:33 PM
Updated at: 06/11/2009 12:11 PM
By: Joe Vigil, Eyewitness News 4

Searchers to tackle 'debris field'

Sgt. Andy Tigwell and Negumi Yamamoto's helicopter crashed near the 12,000 foot Santa Fe Baldy

A helicopter has landed in a mountainous area near Santa Fe Baldy and unloaded a rescue crew that's making its way to the wreckage of a state police helicopter where officials hope there are two survivors of Tuesday evening's crash.

Two helicopters and a fixed wing airplane have joined the search after being grounded all day Wednesday by bad weather.

State police want to make it clear: They are on a rescue, not recovery mission.

Officers remain optimistic they will find Sgt. Andy Tingwall and UNM student Negumi Yamamoto alive.

Tingwall was piloting a state police helicopter with spotter Officer Wesley Cox Tuesday night when the helicopter crashed just after picking up Yamamoto, a stranded hiker .

Wednesday night, a Blackhawk helicopter spotted the wreckage, which is about an eight-mile walk from the Santa Fe Ski Area.

After trying to get to the crash site from the top of the mountain Wednesday evening, a team of 18 took the mountain from the bottom up.

The crash site is on a steep mountain side over 12,000 feet in altitude that is snowy and muddy. The debris field goes down a ravine 800 feet�so police say it is anyone�s guess where Tingwall and Yamamoto are.

Thursday morning, officials hoped to insert more people by helicopter.

"The National Guard will try at first light when the winds will be more favorable," said New Mexico State Police Chief Faron Segotta. "Theyll try to insert people at the bottom end of the debris field. As I mentioned, the debris field is significant, it's over 800 feet."

Cox, who was rescued Wednesday just after noon, told investigators the helicopter's tail hit something as they tried to lift out of the ravine where the hiker was.

The helicopter�s tail hit something, but Tingwall was able to lift the aircraft out of the ravine before it crashed into the mountainside. It then rolled down the mountain, ejecting all three passengers.

Cox said based on what he saw, Yamamoto was killed instantly. He remained in vocal contact with Tingwall into the night, but then Cox took refuge in the helicopter overnight.

At daybreak, Cox went down the mountain where he found searchers.

The officer was taken to St. Vincent Hospital where he is recovering from extreme hypothermia, as well as internal and leg injuries.