NZ Defence Force aids woman on Great Barrier

HMNZS Wellington in the Bligh Sound © Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is helping remove a 64-year-old woman with a fractured leg from Great Barrier Island.

Commodore Jim Gilmour, the Maritime Component Commander, said Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS Wellington had been sent to the island 100 kilometres north-east of central Auckland about midday, following a request from St John New Zealand.

The patient would be brought to Devonport Naval Base, where an ambulance was on standby to take the woman to a hospital, Commodore Gilmour said. A St John paramedic is on board Wellington to assist the patient en route to Devonport.

“We hope for the best for the patient. We are pleased that we have been able to help and always stand ready to support our communities,” Commodore Gilmour said.

St John District Operations Manager Doug Gallagher said his organisation was thankful to the NZDF for helping evacuate the patient.

“Today’s weather conditions meant the usual options of flying or using a ferry weren’t an option, so it is great that the Defence Force has been able to assist,” Mr Gallagher said.