Two winch missions today

Today the Tauranga based Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was called to rescue two people in separate incidents, both times the Port of Tauranga Rescue winch was utilised. In the first incident a 32 year old French Tourist had fallen over a 50 meter cliff at Omanawa Falls, luckily he was able to stop his fall 10 meters from the top by grabbing onto a tree, otherwise it was another 40 meters to rocks below. We were able to locate the man then winch down a St John Paramedic to secure the man into a harness and winch him to safety. Luckily he was uninjured in the fall.

In the other rescue, the Trustpower TECT rescue helicopter was called to a tramping track west of Katikati, a woman in her 60s had become unwell with a medical condition while walking a loop track and she was unable to carry on. Because of communication issues it took some time to locate the sick tramper and her two companions. Once located, the woman was winched into the helicopter in difficult windy conditions and flown to a farmhouse near Katikati, the helicopter then returned for her tramping companions who were winched out due to fading light as they were not prepared for a night in the bush.

Philips Search and Rescue Trust (PSRT) 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 sponsor’s, 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 rescue.org.nz

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