Helo Airlifts Man To Hospital In Four Minutes

Aero-News learned this weekend the Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter rescued a kayaker Friday morning from the shores of Wellington Harbor.

The 38 year-old man was located by the helicopter crew, on shore, south of Eastbourne. He had been rolled out of his kayak and spent approximately 40 minutes in the water, being assisted to shore by his friend and fellow kayaker.

"Apparently he came out of his kayak and was quickly separated from it" says Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman Logan Taylor. "His buddy came to his rescue and managed to drag him to shore while he hung on to the second kayak."

The helicopter crew spotted the two men on shore and landed nearby. One of the men was lying on the beach, semi-conscious, suffering from extreme hypothermia.

After a quick assessment the man was loaded into the helicopter, and was in Wellington Hospital about four minutes later.

"His temperature was only 33 degrees when we arrived in E.D. so he is quite lucky we were able to get him to hospital so quickly" says Taylor.  "Police onboard the Lady Liz III have recovered the stray kayak so all in all it has been a great result all around".

The man was taken to the Emergency Department at Wellington Hospital to be treated. His condition was not believed to be life threatening.

FMI: www.lifeflight.org.nz