March 2006
The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter rescued an injured woman from Kapiti Island last (Saturday) night.
The 79 year old Australia tourist was staying at the hostel on the Island and was injured in a fall. Her husband, a
retired GP, identified her injury as serious and raised the alarm.
Rough seas made rescue by boat inappropriate so the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance
paramedic onboard, was dispatched around 7:45 pm.
"Luckily most of the bad weather had already blown through" says Westpac Rescue Helicopter pilot Harry Stevenson. "The
winds around Wellington Airport were still around 30/35 knots (55/65 kph) but it was a bit calmer at Kapiti".
The helicopter was able to land near the hostel. Once there the WFA paramedic found that Kapiti Island staff and other
travellers had the patient well prepared and once she was assessed she was put in the helicopter for the 15 minute
flight to Wellington Hospital.
The woman arrived at hospital at about 8:40 pm and after being treated in the Emergency Department she was admitted to
hospital where she is currently listed in a stable condition.
ENDS