Sick N.Z. Baby May Be Treated In Copenhagen

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28870, 15 April 1959, Page 13

Sick N.Z. Baby May Be Treated In Copenhagen

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. Wilma van Oosterhout, the 15-month-old baby on a mercy flight to London for treatment for a heart complaint, landed at Copenhagen today, and it was thought that the operation might have to be carried out there.

The baby resumed its journey during the night after a halt at Greenland.

She was put off a plane at Sondrestrom, Greenland. last night, because of her condition. Later, the child was able to resume her journey aboard another aircraft and fie v to Copenhagen where she will be transferred to a London flight. Her mother, Mrs M. J. van Oosterhout, a former nurse, of Tauranga, and Wilma were aboard a Canadian Pacific Airlines DC6B flying from Vancouver to Amsterdam by way of Sondrestrom. The plane was given special permission to land at London. But when it arrived at Sondrestrom, Wilma appeared to be feverish and a United States Air Force doctor who * *as consulted, said she should rest. The “Daily Mirror” said that while Wilma was taken to a United States military hospital, the aircraft’s captain waited three hours in the hope that the fever would subside but finally had to go on without her.

When the Scandinavian Airlines System aircraft landed t Copenhagen, Mrs van Oosterhout carried Wilma down the steps in a blanket to a waiting ambulance. The baby was to be examined immediately and if fit enough was to be flown on to London on a flight leaving at 9.30 a.m. G.M.T. If not, she would remain in Copenhagen for treatment. The United States Air Force doctor. Major George Terezakis, who treated Wilma in Greenland last night flew to Copenhagen with her.

He said: “I am afraid she is not too well at the moment. We must wait to see what we can do.” Major Terezakis later told Reuter: “During the seven-hour

flight from Greenland we stayed at the best altitude of 4000 feet. We had oxygen supplies ready if necessary, but they were not needed.

“The baby has been in a special compartment at the rear of the plane. The mother has been very brave. There was no trouble with the baby during the flight. The aircraft crew and passengers were all very helpful.” The doctor and the mother sat watching over the child during the flight. The doctor said the baby was “slightly better” than in Greenland, where the temperature was around freezing point during the night.

The doctor had been on the case now for nearly 24 hours from the time he was asked to take charge of the child when it was transferred to the military hospital at the Greenland base. “I will travel on to London with the mother and baby. I have a letter with me for the doctors in the London hospital where the baby is being treated.” he said. The baby was later taken to St. Elizabeth’s Children’s Hospital in Copenhagen for care while awaiting the flight to London. Dr. Terezakis said they would probably catch the 9.30 a.m. S.A.S. plane, but if a change of plans had to be made they would fly to London on a British European Airways aircraft this afternoon. The American Associated Press reported that medical observers said that laboratory tests being performed this morning at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital might indicate that it would be inadvisable to send the child on.

In that case it would probably be decided to carry out an operation on the baby in Copenhagen.