The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter called to a diver in trouble on the south coast of Wellington

The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was call today 1 Aug 09
at 3:30pm to a 31 yr old male Diver from Wellington in trouble on the
rocks off Lyall Bay on the South Coast of Wellington.

The diver said the current had taken him out further out than he had
anticipated and he was able to scramble onto the rocks 500m from the
shore. He was then able to attract the attention of passing motorists by
waving a dive rescue sausage. The motorist then contacted the Police.
The Police responded their RIB rescue boat to the location. Due to the
divers location on the rocks the police boat was unable to get in close
enough to the rocks to rescue the diver. The diver was also unable to
swim out to the police boat due to the swell.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was able to winch down a crewmen in a
winch harness to the diver on the rocks and then winch the crewmen and
diver who was placed in a Petzel Nappy Harness back into the helicopter.

The Helicopter then landed on the beach where the diver was met by the
Police.

The diver had no injuries.

ENDS

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