Wellington Westpac Rescue helicopter rescues four people from Lake Waiarapa

01/02/2009

The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called this morning Sunday 1st Feb 09 at 9:40am to a Jet boat that had overturned and sunk on Lake Wairarapa.

Two people on shore witnessed the event and called 111.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was airborne shortly after being called by police. It was reported that there was up to four persons in the water on the western side of lake Wairarapa.

"We were able to speak to the person on shore that had witnessed the incident and they were able to guide us to the approximate location of the people in the water. This was a great help in reducing search time " says Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman Keith Frewen. "Once in the area we quickly spotted one and then the rest of the survivors in the water as their boat had completely sunk".

The four men, all wearing life jackets, were then winched to the safety of the helicopter one at a time. They were then taken to shore where they were met by police.

Pilot Mike Hall stated "the wind conditions were gusting up to 70 km/hr and this made it difficult to keep in place above the survivors but we were able to winch all survivors on board without any problems".

For More Information Please Contact
Keith Frewen
Westpac Rescue Helicopter
0292338282
www.lifeflight.org.nz