Surf lifesaving guards and a rescue helicopter were involved in a rescue off the coast of Gisborne’s Sponge Bay on Tuesday morning. Character Roofing Gisborne Surf Life Saving Search and Rescue coordinator Adam Glenister said he and his team were called out about 9.15am after a rogue wave overturned three divers’ recreational 5.
8m boat anchored on the seaward side of Tuamotu Island. “All three patients ended up in the water and self-rescued to [the island’s] shore. They just suffered moderate injuries, cuts, bruises and pride,” Glenister said.
“One of the party had a cell phone on him, which is really lucky, and he dialled 111 for help.” A statement from Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) confirmed that the Gisborne Search and Rescue Squad responded to an emergency at Tuamotu Island involving one person unconscious in the water. “The Search and Rescue (SAR) squad has launched two Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) in response and are currently on scene,” the SLSNZ statement said.
A statement from Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter said it responded with its rescue helicopter team, winching their critical care flight paramedic down to the scene just under 100 metres offshore. The helicopter landed at Sponge Bay while the patient was assessed and treated, before returning to winch the patient and paramedic back up and returning to the landing site on the mainland. Glenister said the other two men on the island were taken via IRB to the ambulances wait.
