Posted March 18, 2020
Emergency Services
Media Release: Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
Westpac 1 crew were tasked to Motukoranga Island by the Rescue Coordination Centre yesterday at 7 am to assist with the search and rescue of a male patient in his 70’s aboard a yacht that had run aground on some rocks.
He was located by an activated personal locator beacon.
The sole occupant of the boat, he managed to deploy a life raft, make it to shore and take shelter in the bush.
In trying conditions, due to the weather and location, the patient was winch extracted from the scene by Westpac 1 crew.
He was flown to Thames Hospital in a moderate condition.