A combined rescue helicopter effort saw the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter and Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopters executed a transfer of a 16-year old female with spinal injuries from playing rugby.
The woman suffered an injury to her neck when her head hit the ground. The injury occurred in Dannevirke, but due to poor weather over most of the South Island, the decision was made to transfer her to Middlemore Hospital instead of Christchurch Hospital.
She was initially retrieved by the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter and accompanied by her mother. She was then hand-over to the Waikato Westpac Rescue Chopper for onwards travel from Waikato Hospital. The helipad handover facilitated a more rapid transit to Middlemore Hospital.
