Saving lives
every hour, every day

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆
𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄: 𝗘𝗱, 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗲, 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲

The rustling of a tree and a phone flashlight proved vital for a rescue crew trying to locate an injured walker.

The man was walking on the Woolshed Hill Track in the Hawdon Valley when he slipped and injured his leg.

While the rescue helicopter crew had a GPS location for the man, the bush was so dense it was virtually impossible to see him.

Winch operator Shane was on the skids of the helicopter, searching for signs of the injured party as the helicopter tracked back and forth. Those on the ground attracted his attention by shaking treetops and using their phone to reflect light.

Finding a suitable place to winch Critical Care Paramedic Steve down to the patient was tricky.

“There were a lot of dead trees standing, which we refer to as deadfall, and that’s risky as the downwash from the helicopter could knock those trees. We had to be aware of that while finding a hole in the canopy big enough to safety winch Steve down,” Shane says.

Once a safe winch spot was identified, Steve was winched down to the patient. The helicopter then returned to the staging area, where they had dropped any unnecessary equipment to reduce weight in the helicopter during the winch operation.

Meanwhile, Steve trekked to where the patient was waiting. He assessed the patient’s injuries, provided pain relief, and then identified a suitable spot where they could be winched up.

“Steve used his smoke flare to help us identify where they were, so I could lower the hook down and winch both Steve and the patient up to the helicopter,” Shane says.

The patient was transported to Christchurch Hospital for treatment.

A great result for the team and the patient. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Willy is currently riding over the Maruia Saddle in the Buller District, 1029 km in to his Rescue Warriors ride.

Willy is one of the `original` Rescue Warriors, first riding the length of the country back in 2022. This time around the hills may not surprise him, but the public has.

Learn more about Willy, including why he`s proud to give back to the country that`s given him so much: https://www.airrescue.co.nz/stories/willy-leferink-rescue-warrior-eleven/

Or see the Rescue Warriors link on our Linktree