Life Flight's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called at 12.30am by the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ to retrieve a seriously injured passenger from a ship 50 miles SE of Wellington. The team responded using night vision goggles. They winched the medic and gear down to the deck of the moving ship to stabilise the patient before winching the medic and patient up to the helicopter. The female patient in her 20s was then transported to Wellington Regional Hospital.

The Life Flight Trust is a charity that provides emergency air services, including the Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a nationwide air ambulance service. It relies on support from the public and from partners such as major sponsor Westpac and major funder NZCT to provide these services. More information at www.lifeflight.org.nz.