Rescuers seek night vision superpower
Members of the Taupō 60s Up Club hand over money raised for Greenlea Rescue’s latest fundraiser. Photo: Dan Hutchinson
Superpowers are not cheap but the crew of Greenlea Rescue Helicopter really want to see in the dark.
Member of the 60’s Up Club Betty Rosanoski has a pretty good reason for getting involved in raising funds for the helicopter rescue service, having been the subject of a medical evacutation to Hamilton Hospital.
She survived to tell the story and to be involved in raising another $1000 towards the cause, along with fellow club members, presented last week.
The funds will go towards the latest fundraiser – night vision goggles.
Mike Beavon was also recently rescued by Greenlea Rescue helicopter, and his story could have ended quite differently.
Not long ago, Mike headed out in the morning for a three-hour kayak on the Tongariro River.
After completing the white-water section, Mike came to a split in the river and accidentally drifted to the wrong side.
His kayak broached on a rock, and as he stood up, the boat slipped out of reach.
He tried to swim after it but soon realised the water was too swift and dangerous to swim in.
Mike was left stranded on the scrubby river beach. With his phone and bag in the kayak, he had no way of contacting anyone for help, and no way out.
He had good gear and some spare clothing but the temperature dropped noticeably when the sun went down and was forecast to fall to zero that night.
Greenlea Rescue carries out a night rescue mission. Photo: Supplied
Back at the meeting point, his family were anxiously waiting for Mike to arrive.
Hours ticked by, and he still didn’t come. Feeling utterly helpless and worried, Mike’s wife dialled 111.
Although Mike wasn’t injured, he was in grave danger of hypothermia.
As he huddled on the riverbank, heard the rescue helicopter and saw a bright light in the sky.
“I didn’t think anyone would come out in the dark. I got up and waved, but I wasn’t sure they saw me or not. They seemed to hover for what seemed like an eternity.”
Finally, the lights moved closer, and Mike saw something moving in the shadows. It was the flight paramedic being winched down.
“As we went up, I had no sense of height… all I could see was the rescue helicopter lights getting closer.”
And when they landed a short while later at a nearby airfield, Mike was greeted with tears of joy by his wife and brother-in-law.
The new E3 night vision goggles will help the rescue helicopter crew to be more effective at night but three sets of goggles come at a price of $102,000.
To donate to the cause head to give.rescue.org/event/greenlea-rescue-helicopter.