At 68-years-old, Gary was tremendously fit. He’d broken records, won medals, and even won the Alaskan State Championship the year prior.
A hike through the Maungatautari Wildlife Reserve should’ve been a piece of cake. But instead, 75 minutes into the tramp, something went terribly wrong.
“I became a little breathless, and stopped to recover my breath. When I didn’t show any signs of recovery, I sat down. No good... So I lay down.”
Gary’s wife, Asta, was deeply concerned. And when Gary began shivering with cold, she stripped off her jacket to lay it over him, along with a foil blanket. It wasn’t enough... Gary wasn’t getting better.
Asta had no idea what to do. They didn’t have a phone with them - what should she do?
Thankfully, a father and daughter arrived not long afterwards, and immediately dialled 111.
As you’ll read in a moment, this wasn’t going to be an easy rescue. But there’s no other crew you’d want for a job like this - and thanks to our wonderful and generous supporters, your Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew were fully prepared and equipped for Gary’s rescue.
When the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived shortly afterwards, the Critical Care Flight Paramedic (CCFP) had to winch down to a nearby clearing.
Gary remembers, “The flight paramedic trudged up to us with a monstrous pack on his back.”
As soon as he arrived, the CCFP stabilised Gary, and ran some ECG tests. He knew Gary needed to get to hospital urgently - but Gary was in no position to walk to the clearing.
So instead, they managed to get Gary to a nearby ‘break in the bush canopy’ – which was really, just a small patch of blue sky in the branches overhead.
With extraordinary skill, the CCFP coordinated with the pilot to navigate the rescue helicopter winch down through the gap. He then secured Gary into the harness, and he was lifted to safety and flown to Waikato Hospital.
“We are fairly certain,” says Gary, “that if it hadn’t been for the expert knowledge and skills of the pilot and flight paramedic, I wouldn’t be here today. We are immensely grateful to the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew that went those ‘extra yards’ in the bush. Thanks for being there when I needed you.”
The ONLY way your Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew can do this kind of work, is because of our wonderful donors. THANK YOU helping us save Gary’s life that day.
