Airman Rescued By Helicopter

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31276, 24 January 1967, Page 3

Airman Rescued By Helicopter

(New Zealand Press Association) BLENHEIM, January 23. A R.N.Z.A.F. Iroquois helicopter landed an injured airman in the grounds of the Wairau Hospital this morning after a 30-minute 70mile flight from rugged country at the back of Lake Rotoroa, in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

The airman, Officer-Cadet Paul Gazley, of Wellington, stationed at Wigram, was leader of one of the sections of Air Training Corps cadets undertaking a 10-day field exercise.

On Friday evening, at the Sabine Forks hut, he gashed his right leg badly below the knee when cutting firewood. Two members of the party went for assistance to the Air Training Corps base camp at Kip Flat, in the Upper Wairau valley, and yesterday a party reached the scene with medical assistance. It was decided OfficerCadet Gazley should be evacuated as soon as pos-

sible. Arrangements were made for a helicopter to be sent, but in case the weather was unsuitable a party from the Marlborough Search and Rescue Organisation was also arranged. A team from the Woodbourne Air Force base set out last night for Lake Rotoroa and another party was alerted. However, when the weather was suitable for the helicopter the search and rescue mission was cancelled.