New Zealand helicopter pilot describes horror of volcano rescue

'The burns were horrific " A lot of the people could not talk,' says Mark Law

White Island volcano: police open inquiry as sixth person dies

A commercial helicopter pilot who led a team that rescued 12 victims from the White Island volcano eruption has told how he believed he was their last hope of survival.

"We found people dead, dying and alive but in various states of unconsciousness," said Mark Law, a tour company boss who flew to the volcano and spent an hour on the ground even as a pillar of ash towered above them.