ANZAC Emergency
On ANZAC Day, community donations made a challenging rescue possible. Read first-hand accounts from the Life Flight team who undertook the mission.
By Dave Greenberg - Life Flight Operations Manager
At 6.40am we set off for Blenheim Hospital in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to transfer a seriously ill patient to Wellington Hospital. As we lifted off, the Rescue Coordination Centre advised that an emergency beacon signal was coming from Pukerua Bay and that an Air Force Iroquois might be missing.
We diverted to Pukerua Bay and Pilot Harry and I developed a quick plan; which radios we'd each operate, how we'd approach the search, and discussed lots of "what ifs". On arrival the beacon signal could be heard clearly from a ravine.
It was now clear that our Westpac Rescue Helicopter wasn't able to do the Blenheim mission so we arranged the Life Flight air ambulance to get underway and fly at speed to Blenheim Hospital.
As the cloud began lifting we moved into the ravine and slowly made our way towards the beacon signal. The conditions were challenging but we never felt unsafe - I know I was pleased to have an experienced pilot like Harry in control!
We spotted an Air Force crewman from the searching Iroquois sprinting through the dense ground. When their helicopter could not get into the ravine they dropped him off to run into the area to try and locate the missing helicopter. A minute or two later we came upon the crashed Iroquois, lying upside down with no signs of life. It was a very eerie scene - one which will remain with me for a long time.
Our next priority was to get someone to the crash scene to check for survivors so we pointed the way for the running Air Force crewman. He quickly arrived and waved us off as our chopper's noise and wind made it impossible to locate survivors.
We soon got word that a survivor had been found, so we picked up Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) paramedic Pete Collins and flew to the crash site. Pete was winched down and let us know that the survivor, Stevin "Creegs" Creeggan, was conscious and could come up in our "nappy harness". We decided Stevin would be winched without the paramedic so Pete could help locate and treat any other possible survivors.
We carefully winched Stevin into the helicopter then flew him to a WFA road ambulance to be driven to hospital under paramedic care. Unfortunately no other survivors were found in the wreckage. Three good men all killed in the line of duty - tragic at any time. However, the fact that anyone survived the crash is a miracle and it is amazing how well Creegs is doing. Thankfully he is expected to make a full recovery.
A real unsung hero of the day was Smitty, the Air Force crewman who ran into the ravine to help his comrades. His physical and mental efforts on the day led to a quicker rescue of Stevin.
On behalf of us all I send heartfelt thanks for your donations which ensure we have the aircraft, training and equipment that make rescues like this possible.
By Harry Stevenson - Westpac Rescue Helicopter Pilot
The events on ANZAC Day were an absolute tragedy, the sadness of which was only alleviated by the survival and recovery of Sergeant Stevin Creeggan. To have been involved in locating and rescuing Stevin was not only rewarding but also a real privilege, and it has been with great concern and satisfaction that we have followed his remarkable recovery.
The mission was one where all the training that we do and teamwork that we have developed was called upon as we worked together to overcome the difficult weather conditions, whilst simultaneously managing a continuous flow of communications with the various services involved, such as the Rescue Coordination Centre, Police, Wellington Free Ambulance, Air Traffic Control and the other RNZAF Iroquois.
When an accident involves fellow aviators it always has a real impact on those of us responding to the emergency. I know we all feel a real empathy with the families and loved ones of those who did not survive. We can only be thankful that Stevin did survive and for all of our supporters whose generous donations helped make this rescue possible.
Thank you Stevin for allowing us to share your story. Everyone at Life Flight wishes you all the very best for your recovery.
Find out how you can help ensure more people like Stevin are rescued when they need it most.
