MERCY DASH SUCCEEDS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29994, 1 December 1962, Page 10

MERCY DASH SUCCEEDS

Man 111 In Far South

A co-operative effiort by the Royal New Zealand Navy and the United States Air Force to transfer a sick crew member of the United States Navy picket ship Dura<nt from Campbell Island to the American sick bay at Harewood came to a successful conclusion at 2.30 p.m. yesterday when an Air Force Resouemaster aircraft landed at Christchurch with the man on board. He is Petty Officer Dudley D. Dean, radioman second class. Petty Officer Dean is running a high fever, but it was reported late last evening that he was resting well and was comfortable.

The Duraint put the man ashore at Campbell Island on Wednesday, when the vessel was on its way to take up station half-way between New Zealand and the Antarctic. He was picked up by H.M.N.Z.S. Rototti, which was returning from station, and taken to Bluff. The Rotoiti arrived at Bluff at 9.50 a.m. and an ambulance was waiting on the wharf. Petty Officer Dean was taken by St. John Ambulance to Invercargill, where he was transferred to a Rescuemaster. which had been flown from Christchurch. The transfer was completed quickly and the aircraft was in the air within a few minutes of landing.

On the aircraft’s arrival at Christchurch about 2.30 p.m. Petty Officer Dean was transferred to the sick bay.

The Rescuemaster also brought from Bluff an American radio technician who had some special equipment to be repaired. While in Bluff the Rotoiti will load special equipment for measuring the upper atmosphere while on a voyage up the West Coast of New Zealand. She will also refuel with oil and replenish her stores and water. She is due to leave about 4.30 p.m. today.