Father and son fall off cliff - Rescued by chopper

Credit: Kutz Photography
Click for big version

This afternoon at 1600hrs the Tauranga based Trustpower TECT Rescue helicopter was dispatched to Omanawa Falls south of Tauranga where a 37 year old Tauranga man and his 12 year old son had fallen 100 metres off a walking track to the Omanawa falls. It is understood the boy fell first and the father fell while going to his aid. The father received serious back and shoulder injuries in the fall, his son received serious head injuries.
Both were winched using the Port of Tauranga rescue winch from near where they landed. Both were airlifted to Tauranga hospital in a serious condition.

Philips Search and Rescue Trust is a charitable organisation, operating rescue helicopters throughout the Central North Island. Philips Search and Rescue Trust relies on support from principal sponsors and community donations. Special thanks to Tauranga’s principal sponsors, Trustpower and TECT. This crucial financial support ensures our rescue helicopters can continue to bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and trauma-trained medics directly to the patient. For further information about PSRT visit our website http://rescue.org.nz.