Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter Winches a Injured Fishermen in the Marlborough Sound

The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called this evening 2nd Dec 09 at 5:50pm to a Fishing Vessel that was heading towards Port Underwood in the Marlborough sounds with a 34yr old male from Dunedin who had some fishing gear fall on his chest. The fishermen was pinned under some chains and was knocked unconscious.

The Vessel was fishing in the Cook Strait when the incident happen. The Captain of the Vessel started heading for Port Underwood for calmer waters.

The Helicopter with a Wellington Free Paramedic on board responded to Port Underwood. On arrival of the helicopter the Paramedic was winched down onto the vessel to assess the patient. With the help of the Paramedic and the Fishing Vessel Crew the patient was carried onto the bow of the vessel where the Paramedic and patient were both winched back into the helicopter.

The patient was then flown to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department where he is being treated.

Wellington Free Paramedic Mark Bailey said "the patient is in a serious condition with Throat, Chest and back injuries."

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