Invercargill-Auckland Ambulance Flight

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30155, 12 June 1963, Page 16

Invercargill-Auckland Ambulance Flight

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, June 11

After the longest ambulance flight he could recall in New Zealand, Captain F. P Ladd landed in Auckland this afternoon with a Cook Islander he had brought from Invercargill. The flight in the amphibian took 6hr 55min. The Cook Islander, Takave Moeareone, aged 23, has been seriously ill in the Southland Hospital at Kew for the last four months.

He suffered severe head injuries when he collided with a horse while riding his motor-cycle at Greenhills. He was rushed to hospital where he lay unconscious for a number of days. Fellow islanders at the Ocean Beach freezinig works, where the injured man worked, and members of the Congregational Church sent word to their minister in Wellington and he went to Bluff where prayer meetings for Moeareone were held. The patient gradually recovered consciousness and has continued to progress However, his recovery is tar from complete.

While he is conscious he does not appear to recognise anyone, including old friends. The flight to Auckland, where his relatives and family live, has been made possible by a fund which church members and workmates raised for him.

It is hoped his return to Auckland might prompt a complete recovery. The flight north took £l6O of the £250

raised for him and the remainder has been placed in his bank account. On the flight back to Auckland he was accompanied by Mr P. Mareangarea and Sister J. Milne, from the Auckland Hospital.

The condition of Moeareone, who was admitted to the Auckland Hospital, was reported to be fairly satisfactory tonight.