NSW: Rescue helicopters kept busy at start of holidays

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2000
NSW: Rescue helicopters kept busy at start of holidays

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - Emergency service helicopters criss-crossed southern and central
NSW today on a series of rescues, including two footballers with suspected spinal injuries.

First up, the Westpac helicopter flew a 22-year-old man with serious head injuries
from Canowindra to Orange Hospital. He had been found unconscious on Friday beside a busy
road.

A Westpac Lifesaver Rescue spokesman said the emergency medical team prepared the man
for transfer to Sydney's Westmead Hospital where his condition tonight was reported to
be serious but stable.

Early today, a Westpac helicopter heading for the Valley of the Waters near Katoomba
to pick up a woman with a fractured ankle, was diverted to Prospect where a 10-year-old
footballer had suffered a suspected spinal injury in a tackle.

He was airlifted to the Children's Hospital at Westmead where his condition was later
described as serious.

The same crew then diverted to Yarramundi, south west of Richmond, where a 32-year-old
builder had suffered head injuries in a fall from a roof.

He was transferred to Westmead Hospital where his condition was later said to be serious,
but stable.

The spokesman said the Westpac helicopter crew then returned to Katoomba to winch the
22-year-old Fairfield woman with the ankle injury to safety and take her to Nepean Hospital.

Next, the Westpac chopper flew a four-year-old girl suffering convulsions from St Albans
to the Children's Hospital at Westmead. Her condition has been described as serious.

Then, as the helicopter headed back to base it was again diverted, this time to pick
up a 22-year-old Merrylands man injured in a football match at Lindfield on Sydney's north
shore.

He also suffered a suspected spinal injury and was airlifted to the Prince of Wales
Hospital where his condition was reported as serious, but stable.

Meanwhile, the SouthCare helicopter service made a mercy dash to pick up a 48-year-old
Wilton man injured in a motorcycle crash in the Brindabella Mountains this afternoon.

A spokesman said the man fell off his bike in the Bongo State Forest between the ACT
and Tumut, landing in a ditch. He suffered head and leg injuries and was taken to Canberra
Hospital.

AAP psm/it

KEYWORD: AIRLIFTS

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