Anzac rescue

The rescue team in front of the RNZAF UH1H Iroquois helicopter that flew the mission. Photo provided by NZ Defence Media

By Graham Davis

AUSTRALIAN and New Zealand RAMSI defence personnel who rescued a badly injured senior sailor in the Solomon Islands last month have spoken of the incident and their experiences for the first time.

The sailor from HMAS Tarakan was injured when he fell down a ravine on Florida Island.

A Royal New Zealand Airforce Iroquois used in the rescue took three attempts to winch the casualty to safety as it battled in darkness against high winds and rain.

New Zealand Sqn-Ldr Shaun Sexton was the aircraft captain and said Australian and New Zealand medical teams worked well together.

“The visibility wasn’t the best with a lot of rain and low cloud about and it was a pretty challenging rescue,” he said.

The rescue came after an Australian aero medical evacuation team was winched into the ravine to stabilise the sailor and attempt to carry him out.

Australian Army doctor Capt Stuart Saker was at the scene and said the rescue required his team to think outside the square and remain calm and let their training and skills take over.

“It was an extremely difficult rescue,” he said.

Once onboard HMAS Tarakan sailors continued treatment of the casualty and provided support to the medical team and the helicopter pilots.

RAMSI Military Contingent Commander Lt-Col John Hutcheson has congratulated all the personnel involved and sent his thanks to the people of the Florida Islands who also assisted the military.