Ash-covered victims of NZ volcano eruption looked badly burned, helicopter pilot says

(Reuters) - Victims of New Zealand's deadly volcanic eruption off White Island were covered in ash and appeared to have been badly burned, said a helicopter rescue pilot who flew them to hospital, as he recounted his experience on Tuesday.

"They were in a fairly serious condition," said James Tayler to Television New Zealand (TVNZ) network, who flew some victims from Whakatane, the coastal town nearest the eruption site, to hospitals in the cities of Auckland and Hamilton.