John Masters' Ocean Rescue
Community donations made it possible to rescue John Masters after he suffered a life-threatening illness at sea.
John writes: "It was one of Life Flight's longest and most dangerous missions and involved over 100 people. Along with the amazing medical skills of the yacht's doctor and seamanship of the skipper and crew, they saved my life... I am circumnavigating the South Island from Cape Farewell in the north to Slope Point in the south by cycle, to celebrate my rescue, the bravery of the helicopter crew in such extreme conditions and the team work of everybody involved."
When a freak wave hit the yacht he was on, John received an injury that rapidly spread a deadly infection through his body.
In this photo he awaits urgent rescue while deep in the Southern Ocean. Medical experts estimate that at this point he only had approximately 24 hours to live if he was not able to be rescued by helicopter and flown to a major hospital for emergency treatment.
John is winched off the yacht and into the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. We then flew him to the Chatham Islands as quickly as possible.
John walks with the help of Crewman Dave and Paramedic Iain to the Chatham Islands International Terminal to be transferred to Wellington Hospital in a Life Flight air ambulance aeroplane. Unbeknownst to John, his wife had flown over with our team in the air ambulance to meet him. The two of them had a tearful reunion in the airport shortly after the photo of him walking was taken.
John writes: "[The crew] from our yacht 'Imagine it. Done' visit me after my first operation to make sure I am still alive and my sense of humour is still intact!"
Three years and three operations later John was fit and healthy and embarked on a mammoth adventure, cycling around the entire South Island to raise funds and awareness for Life Flight. John raised nearly $6,000 in donations to help save lives.
Your donations are vital to make missions like this possible. Find out how you can help save more people like John in their time of need.
