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Orewa residents were treated to some action-packed displays as crew of the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter teamed up with Orewa Surf Lifesaving to perform a series of water rescue exercises on December 1.
Community interest started when the helicopter landed on Orewa Reserve in the morning. Bad weather in Muriwai meant that the training exercise was shifted to Orewa at short notice, and the helicopter crew had to obtain urgent approval from Auckland Council to land on the reserve.
The exercises included winching patients from the water up into the helicopter and advanced patient CPR on Orewa Reserve.
The helicopter, Westpac 1, is one of two Leonardo AW169s obtained from Italy last year thanks to the support of the Greater Auckland, Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel communities.
Local Whangaparaoa resident and Westpac Rescue crew chief Mark ‘Tinny’ Cannell says the training went very well but hopes such rescues won’t be needed as people get out and enjoy the summer.
