Helicopter used to rescue child from remote Northland harbour

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

A child suffering a broken leg had to be rescued from a remote Far North bay by helicopter winch, in part because of structural damage caused by the Tongan tsunami.

Whangaroa Coastguard, St John Ambulance and the Northland Rescue Helicopter responded to the incident on Tuesday night at Kōhatupapā, or Ranfurly Bay, in Whangaroa Harbour.

The bay is accessed by boat only but is popular with holidaymakers at this time of year, with attractions including the Dukes Nose Track and Department of Conservation’s Lane Cove Hut.

The ambulance was called to the incident about 8.45pm on Wednesday.

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Whangaroa Coastguard said on social media the incident involved a child aboard a boat with a broken leg.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said the incident was not medical, but was unable to give more details about what happened.

Helicopter base manager Steve Couchman said a winch was needed because of the lack of suitable landing area for the helicopter, in part due to structures being damaged by the Tongan tsunami over the weekend.

A medic and stretcher were winched down to a wharf on the bay, and the patient was lifted onto the helicopter by winch, he said.

The helicopter then landed at Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club, before taking the child to Whangārei Hospital in a moderate condition.

CORRECTION: The incident occurred on Tuesday night. An earlier version of this story incorrectly said it happened on Wednesday night. (Amended January 20, 2022, 12pm.)