Download PDF: Issue 9 - New Zealand Fire Service

Photo FOTOPRESS
Amazing rescue
Mangonui volunteer fi refi ghters have been honoured for their part in a daring
rescue and retrieval following a plane crash.
National commander
honours plane rescue crew
Fire Service national commander Mike
Hall presented the crew with certifi cates
of commendation in May. He also
awarded a certifi cate to Mangonui senior
constable Shaun Palmer. Far North
District Council Mayor Yvonne Sharp
presented plaques to four members of
the public in recognition of their efforts
before rescue services arrived.
A man was killed and two people pulled
to safety when the Salt Air Cessna
plunged into Cable Bay in the Far North
in December.
The Cessna was on a scenic fl ight when it
hit bad weather and crashed near the
beach.
Volunteer support offi cer Colin Kitchen
says the crews took an infl atable rescue
boat to the wreckage about 250 metres
off-shore. A fi refi ghter dived down and
found one person trapped in the
wreckage. A rope was tied to the plane
and while it was being towed to shore
the victim was released by fi refi ghters.
One witness to the incident, sportscaster
Murray Deaker, had nothing but praise
National Commander Mike Hall (left)
with certifi cate recipients.
for the way in which the incident was
handled by emergency services. Colin
says he is proud of the way agencies
worked together in trying conditions.
“We could have had three fatalities if it
had not been for the heroic deeds of the
rescuers.”
The Cessna was on a scenic
fl ight when it hit bad weather and
crashed near the beach.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine May/June 2005
9