MEDIA RELEASE
Date: Tuesday 7 September
Time: 12.05pm

Intensive rescue effort for fisherman

The Maritime Safety Authority will carry out a thorough investigation of the accident where a fisherman got caught in a large machine onboard the vessel Aoraki, south of Bluff yesterday morning.

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ Search and Rescue Officer Dave Wilson says medical specialists and rescue crew worked together intensively throughout yesterday and overnight to provide the best possible medical care and attention.

“Unfortunately the crewman passed away in the very early hours of the morning. It’s a very sad end to this rescue, and it must be a very difficult time for the friends and family of the man, and also for the other crewmen on board the Aoraki.

“We would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue effort. It was a very difficult rescue as medical expertise had to be flown 550kms south of Bluff,” he said.

The crewman’s lower body was caught in a large machine onboard the vessel at 8.15am yesterday morning.

A helicopter with a paramedic on board was flown to provide medical aid to the crewman yesterday afternoon. Medical specialists assessed the man’s condition and agreed the safest way to assist the crewman was to wait until a specialised surgical team and hospital were available.

Last night, the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ sent an Air Force Orion to fly further medical supplies to the Aoraki, and this was completed successfully at about 8pm.

A helicopter with a surgeon on board was due to leave Dunedin at first light this morning, to provide further assistance. This was cancelled.

The Aoraki is currently about 170 kilometres south of Bluff.

A Maritime Safety Authority accident investigator will meet the Aoraki when it arrives in to Bluff at about 6pm tonight. The arrival time will be revised later today.

ENDS

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