Friday June 4, 2004
Royal New Zealand Air Force rescues Australian sailor injured in Solomon Islands
A Royal Australian Navy sailor will be medically evacuated to Brisbane for specialist treatment today, after falling down a ravine in the Solomon Islands.
The sailor was deployed on board the Cairns-based vessel HMAS TARAKAN as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
He had been conducting a routine village visit on the Florida Islands, north of Honiara, yesterday.
The sailor was winched out and evacuated by a Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter to the RAMSI medical facility in Honiara for further treatment and care by Australian Defence Force doctors and medics.
Weather conditions at the time of the rescue have been described as hazardous, however the Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter crew persisted in carrying out the rescue to return the injured sailor to appropriate medical care.
The sailor's condition is listed as serious but stable.
The precise cause of the incident is unknown at this stage. A local investigation has begun.
For further information please contact Lieutenant Commander Andrew Lincoln, Public Relations Officer - Ph: (04) 5296031
This page was last reviewed 29 September, 2011 and is current.
