Disbelief over tragedy

Press, 3 July 1986, Page 9

Disbelief over tragedy

PA Wellington It was hard to believe that the police launch Lady Elizabeth II had succumbed to yesterday’s storm in Wellington Harbour, said the pilot of the rescue helicopter, Mr Peter Button, last evening. “The Lady Liz has been out in worse conditions and survived,” Mr Button said. "It is still hard to believe.” Mr Button, who with his son, Clive, aged 32, plucked two policemen

from the harbour by winch and scooped up the body of a third by net, said he had been in many rescue operations over the years with the police launch. The weather at the time of the rescue was demanding but not the worst he had known. “It wasn’t a day for amateurs. Visibility was not a problem, just the strength of the wind. It is a bit disconcerting to have a 10m wave bearing down

on you. “The wind and sea conditions made it very difficult to hold the helicopter in position,” Mr Button said. A Hamilton helicopter flown by Mr Terry Commins had already been diverted from its entry to Wellington Airport and found Senior Constable Jim McLean and Constable Rod Herd in the water. “That saved a lot of time,” Mr Button said.