Westpac Rescue Helicopter Rescues Injured Mountain biker in Marlborough Sounds

The Welllington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter rescued an injured mountain biker in the Marlborough Sounds this afternoon.

The helicopter, with two Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics onboard, responded to the Queen Charolette Track above Ruakaka Bay around 3 pm.

Upon arrival one of the paramedics was winched down to the injured man.

The 38 year old Darfield man was knocked unconcious for about three minutes when he fell from his bike. Upon arrival of our paramedic he was concious and alert.

"The injured man is a volunteer ambulance officer and was able to give his friends really clear instructions on how to look after him once he regained conciousness" says Dave Greenberg, Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman. "His friends were able to give our paramedic a really detailed report of what had happened and a medical history".

The winching took place next to a set of power cables directly over Ruakaka Bay in Queen Charolette Sound.

The man has been transported to Wairau Hospital in Blenheim for assessment.


When departing Wairau the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was given permission to do a fly past of the crowds viewing the airshow at Omaka Airfield.

"As the primary rescue helicopter for the Marlborough area it was nice to have the opportunity to fly past the airshow at Omaka" says Greenberg.