Wellington Westpac Rescue Helicopter called to injured boaty in Marlborough Sounds

The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to injured boaty in the Pelorous Sound today 29th Dec 2008 at approximately 2:30pm. The patient is a16 yr old male whom had dived off the boat and dislocated his shoulder.

The Helicopter had initially been sent to another rescue but was diverted enroute to the injured boaty.

The helicopter was able to locate the boat due to them putting a red buoy upon the boat roof and the helicopter was able to direct the boat to a nearby shore to retrieve the injured person

He was assessed by two Wellington Free Advanced Paramedics and transported to Nelson Hospital Emergency Department in a stable condition.

Both Pilot Mike Hall and Crew Person Brent Malden said " it was quite difficult to find the boat due to very little information initially received".

The patient is still currently being assessed at Nelson Emergency Department

ENDS