25 January 2005
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand coordinated the rescue of a seriously ill 54-year-old Australian man from Snares Islands this morning.
The man was one of four Otago University zoology staff working on Snares Islands, which are 120 nautical miles southwest of Invercargill.
The man’s illness or condition cannot be confirmed at this stage. The man’s wife is arriving in New Zealand from Australia today.
RCCNZ tasked two helicopters to fly the man to safety, one with a doctor and two paramedics on board and the other to provide a safety backup.
The man reached Invercargill at 10am this morning, after a one-hour-long flight. He was then flown to Dunedin Hospital for medical treatment.
For further information contact:
Maritime New Zealand Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
