Balcony Collapse: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Helps Injured

The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter has transported two people injured after a balcony collapsed during a wedding in the Marlborough Sounds.

The helicopter, with two Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics on board, was called to Te Mahia Lodge, in Te Mahia Bay, Keneperu Sounds at about 1:30pm this afternoon.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the Malrborough Ambulance Service, police and fire all responded to the scene.

The two most seriously injured people, a 56 year old Christchurch woman and a 75 year old Taranaki man were transported by the helicopter to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department. "Both of our patients were in a stable condition" said Ruth Zeinert, crewperson on the flight. "The woman had a serious ankle injury and the man had chest injuries".

As we understand it between 10 and 20 people were on the balcony when it collapsed, sending those on it on a two to three metre fall. All of the other injured were transported by road to Wairau Hospital in Blenheim.

"They were all very lucky that there were not any really serious injuries" says Zeinert. "Apparently a group photo was being taken on the balcony when it collapsed.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived back at Wellington Hospital at 3:10pm. Both patients we transported are being at this time.

http://www.lifeflight.org.nz

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