Possum Trapper winched to safety by Air Force helicopter

An Air Force Iroquois helicopter was involved in the rescue of a possum trapper suspected of cyanide poisoning during the early hours of this morning.

The trapper was in Whirinaki Forest Park near Murupara when he took ill. The Rotorua Police Search and Rescue Team called in the Air Force helicopter which arrived on scene at 2.30am.

“The weather conditions were atrocious. Thick cloud, heavy rain and no illumination made the rescue pretty tricky, we were lucky to get a rescue.” said Squadron Leader 'Coops' Cooper, the aircraft Captain.

The Trapper was flown to a near by ambulance and taken to Rotorua Hospital.

“Operating on night vision equipment at night in poor weather conditions is a significant challenge, but the risk taken was a calculated one based on the reported condition of the trapper. To achieve the rescue is a rewarding outcome for all” said Air Commodore Gavin Howse, Officer in charge of Air Force operations.