13 April 2005

Helicopter returns from accident

The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter has just returned from transporting two patients from a major car accident south of Blenheim.
The rescue helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic onboard, was called to St Hwy 1, 4 km South of Ward, just before 3 pm.

When we arrived at the scene we found police, fire and Marlborough Ambulance staff attending to four patients involved in a three car accident. Apparently one car, which was heading north and towing a trailer rolled in high winds, and was struck by two vehicles traveling south.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter transported two patients - a 51 yr old female American, suffering from chest and abdominal injuries and a 31 year old male, who was in the process of moving to Wellington and was suffering from multiple injuries.

Both of our patients are in a serious condition and arrived at Wellington Hospital at 4:35pm. They are in the Emergency Department being assessed and treated.

We understand that two other patients have been transported by road ambulance to Wairau Hospital in Blenheim.

ENDS