Palmerston north Rescue Helicopter Weekly Roundup 1 - 7 Nov
The Palmerston North based Rescue Helicopter flew 8 missions during the period as follows;
Sun 1 An early afternoon mission to Mangaweka where a Palmerston North woman in her 50’s had come off the road on her
three-wheeler crashing down a steep bank. She was airlifted to Hospital in a serious condition.
Mon 2 A midday callout to a rural address, near Kiwitea, where two people were injured in a vehicle accident. They were
both airlifted to Palmerston North hospital.
Tue 3 An early afternoon mission to Raetihi for a local woman in her 50’s suffering a serious medical event. Following
on immediately the helicopter was tasked back to Raetihi to the scene of a head-on car crash where both drivers, a
Taranaki man in his 70’s and a Spanish woman in her 30’s, required hospitalisation. All patients were airlifted to
Whanganui Hospital.
Thu 5 An afternoon mission to Manakau for a man in his 40’s suffering a serious medical event. He was flown to
Palmerston North Hospital.
Fri 6 A midnight NVG Mission to Hunterville for a patient suffering a serious medical event. Sadly the patient deceased
at the scene.
Sat 7 A midday callout to the Manawatu River, near Awapuni, where two people were reported to be stranded in the middle
of the river clinging onto a submerged branch. On arrival at the scene the pair had been joined by a Fire Service rescue
swimmer and all three were recovered to the safety of the river bank with the helicopter crew using the rescue hoist and
a recovery basket. The two patients were treated at Palmerston North Hospital for hypothermia. Later in the afternoon
the rescue hoist was again needed when a Masterton teenager had fallen from the top of the Manawatu Gorge walk 30 meters
down a steep slip. The girl was quickly located but was unable to be recovered directly owing to the steep nature of the
slip. A nearby St John Ambulance qualified Hoist Para-Medic was uplifted by the helicopter and rode the rescue wire to
recover the trapped girl from the slope. She was flown to Palmerston North Hospital suffering from shock and with minor
leg injuries.
ENDS