Otago crew wins BP Rescue of the Month award for daring winter rescue

MEDIA RELEASE

Lifeguards from two Dunedin clubs have been awarded with the national BP Rescue of the Month award following a bold midnight rescue in a flooded river during July where they saved multiple lives.

10 lifeguards from the St Clair and St Kilda Surf Life Saving Clubs responded to the 111 emergency call on 21 July with two Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) and swift water rescue equipment for multiple people trapped on the roof of a four-wheel-drive near Riverside Road in Mosgiel.

Upon arrival, the crew saw the patients were approximately 500 meters away waving a small torch but it was deemed too dangerous to access them from that point.

An alternative launching point had to be chosen and subsequently, an alternative route planned for the rescue to be safe. However, due to localised flooding and poor road conditions including washed out sections, this was a 40 minute round trip with support from the Mosgiel Volunteer Fire Brigade.

During this trip it was also decided that a rescue helicopter would be required so two team members were dropped at the rescue helicopter hangar to provide air support.

Once they arrived at the new rescue location the vehicle had been swept down the river and into a large stand of poplar trees and a fence, creating more complex and hazardous conditions for the IRB crew.

One of the IRBs was then launched with Isaac Davies (driver) and Matthew Bradley (crew) who proceeded to rescue the patients two at a time, while a second IRB remained on standby should it be required for backup. With the conditions worsening, one patient had to be towed away by James Coombes (rescue swimmer) against the current to the waiting IRB for rescue.

Remaining team members on shore assisted the patients, who all required immediate attention, to a waiting army unimog, where they were assessed by ambulance and rescue helicopter paramedics.

Every single victim was successfully rescued and returned to a place of safety, but without the direct intervention of the Otago Callout Squad and other emergency services, it is highly likely that these people would have drowned.

BP and Surf Life Saving New Zealand wish to thank and congratulate the following lifeguards for their efforts in this rescue who undoubtedly saved numerous lives that night: James Coombes, Isaac Davies, Matthew Bradley, Max Corboy, Alan Todd, Michael Trembath, Seth McPhee, Rhys McAlevey, Scott Weatherall and Stefhan Brown.

The national winners of BP Rescue of the Month awards receive a $500 BP gift card while the second and third placed rescues each month receive $300 and $200 BP gift cards respectively.

The Otago Callout Squad, which is made up of members from the four Otago Surf Life Saving Club, is an out of hours call out team that works with the police when search and rescue situations occur.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Otago Club Development Officer Maddy Crawford says the prize will be put towards training and resources for the squad.

“It is great to see the team getting recognised for their outstanding efforts,” she says.

BP NZ Managing Director Debi Boffa says the quick response by the lifeguards was outstanding. “Since 1968 we have been proud to stand behind this amazing organisation who educate people about how to stay safe on our beaches as well as help save the lives of thousands of people every year,” she said.

For more information about BP Rescue of the Month please visit http://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/lifeguarding/bp-rescue-of-the-month/bp-rescue-of-the-month/

Winners
1st- Otago Callout Squad
2nd- Far North Surf Rescue
3rd- Kariaotahi Surf Life Saving Club

Ends

© Scoop Media