The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter called to a diver in trouble on the south coast of Wellington

01/08/2009

The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was call today 1 Aug 09 at 3:30pm to a 31 yr old male Diver from Wellington in trouble on the rocks off Lyall Bay on the South Coast of Wellington.

The diver said the current had taken him out further out than he had anticipated and he was able to scramble onto the rocks 500m from the shore. He was then able to attract the attention of passing motorists by waving a dive rescue sausage. The motorist then contacted the Police. The Police responded their RIB rescue boat to the location. Due to the divers location on the rocks the police boat was unable to get in close enough to the rocks to rescue the diver. The diver was also unable to swim out to the police boat due to the swell.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was able to winch down a crewmen in a winch harness to the diver on the rocks and then winch the crewmen and diver who was placed in a Petzel Nappy Harness back into the helicopter.

The Helicopter then landed on the beach where the diver was met by the Police.

The diver had no injuries.

For More Information Please Contact
Logan Taylor
Westpac Rescue Helicopter
0275375074
www.lifeflight.org.nz