TACR members were called to rescue a man who managed to text for help after plunging some 40 metres from the top of Paritutu Rock at New Plymouth on Friday 10th December. Rescue team leader Ross Eden said the man had been saved by a clump of flax on the edge. Don Patterson and Stephen Miller strapped the 52 year old man into a strecher, while six others lifted him back to the top. From there the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter winched the patient from the summit to Taranaki Base Hospital, but his injuries were understood not to be serious. The man was conscious and talking throughout the ordeal but appeared to be badly shaken by the experience. (Images by Stephen Miller)
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The patient immediately secured with rescue strop upon arrival of rescuers. Note: proximity of edge |
View up to summit of Paritutu |
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The patient packaged in stretcher |
Patient and Don on the way up |
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Tricky boxthorn problem near the top! |
Topping Out |
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The haul system and team |
ACR and Police rescuers Stephen Miller (Police), Brent Frazer, (Police ?), Debbie Eden, John Copplestone, Ross Eden, Vaughn Smith, Don Paterson, Greg Hall |
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Ross and Don hooking up stretcher Greg Hall directing the helicopter |
TRHT Helicopter with patient and Don. Crewman - Steven Orr |