Thu, 24 Feb 2005

Elderly Woman Rescued from Kapiti Island by Westpac Rescue Helicopter

The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter rescued an elderly woman from Kapiti Island this afternoon.

The 70 year old Pinehaven (Upper Hutt) woman collapsed during a walk around the island with a group of friends just after noon today.

The helicopter, with a winched trained Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic onboard was called to Kapiti Island around 1230.

The helicopter crew were able to locate the woman with the assistance of DOC workers on Kapiti Island. "The DOC workers helped us reach the woman as quickly as possible" says Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman Jon Leach. "The spot she was located in would have been very difficult to find without their help".

The paramedic was winched down to the woman through a small hole in the bush canapoy. After assessing and stabilising the woman the pair were winched back into the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the woman was flown to the Wellington Hospital Emergency Department where she is currently being treated.

ENDS

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