Mock Air Disaster Rescue

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31238, 9 December 1966, Page 18

Mock Air Disaster Rescue

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 9. Auckland International Airport authorities staged a mock disaster today to test new systems for rescuing victims of an air crash on the treacherous Manukau harbour mud flats. Starting from the airport fire station, more than 70 people, including observers from the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the police, the fire brigade and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, followed the crash tenders out along the main runway as the alarm sounded. Ten men had been taken out on to the mud in a tracked vehicle owned by the Electricity Department to act as casualties. The most spectacular demonstration was given by a helicopter carrying a large aluminium life raft. Designed by Mr S. E. Langstone, general manager of the St John Ambulance Brigade,

after discussions with overseas experts, the raft was being shown for the first time. In an emergency it would

be used as a floating platform on which survivors could assemble to be picked up by fast boats. Built by an Auckland engineering firm, it cost more than £6OO and is equipped with two-way radio and first aid facilities. Fast Dinghies As the helicopter lowered the raft on to the mud, an Auckland Regional Authority jet boat rushed to the area carrying a rubber life raft, and fast rubber dinghies arrived to pick up casualties. The helicopter then recovered the raft and flew past the observers back to the hangars. The official observers, who also included representatives from the Auckland Hospital Board, the Coast Guard, the Marine Department and the Department of Civil Aviation, later held a meeting to evaluate the results.