Girl stung by stingray plus two other Wairarapa Missions for Westpac Rescue Helicopter
02/01/2009
The Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter is currently on it's 3rd mission of the day in the Wairarapa.
The first mission was at about 1130 this morning. The helicopter, with two Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics onboard, responded to Totara Flats Hut in the Tararua Ranges. When they arrived they found a 46 year old Wellington woman who fractured her ankle while tramping.
Apparently the woman was with a friend when the injury occured yesterday and they managed to walk to the hut. This morning her friend walked out and used her cellphone to raise the alarm. The helicopter battled strong winds to reach the scene but was able to land at a helipad near the hut. The woman was treated by the paramedics before being flown to Wellington Hospital. She was assessed and treated in Wellington's Emergency Department.
Around 1:30 this afternoon the helicopter was requested to retrieve a seriously ill patient from Masterton Hospital. The helicopter responded with a specialist flight team doctor and nurse from Wellington Hospital ICU. Upon arrival they found a 62 year old New Plymouth woman who had collapsed and suffered from a heart attack earlier this afternoon. Apparently bystanders performed CPR and ambulance officers were able to revive the woman upon their arrival. She was initially transported to Masterton Hospital Emergency Department and now has been transported to Wellington Hospital ICU where she is in a critical condition.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic is currently transporting a young girl from Riversdale Beach in the Wairarapa where she has been injured by a sting ray.
Apparently the 11 year old Woodville girl suffered serious lacerations to one arm and one knee when she had an encounter with a sting ray. She was able to get herself back onto the beach where surf life savers treated her injuries until the helicopter arrived. Fire-fighters at the scene set up a landing zone for the helicopter prior to our arrival.
The girl has been transported to Masterton Hospital in a stable condition, accompanied by her mother.
For more information please contact:
Dave Greenberg
Westpac Rescue Helicopter
029 233 8284
