14 May 2017

Man rescued from ship after stroke

3:10 pm on 14 May 2017

A launch at Gisborne's port went out in rough seas to rescue a man who had suffered a stroke on a log ship, after the rescue helicopter had to pull out.

About 9pm yesterday the captain of a log ship anchored in Poverty Bay reported one of his crew members had suffered a stroke and needed urgent medical attention.

A rescue helicopter was sent out but after assessing the situation the pilot deemed the conditions were too difficult to land.

The marine manager at Eastland Port, Paul Hines, said the police contacted him and he sent out four men in a launch into swells up to 3 metres high.

He said the launch managed the conditions well and the man was safely moved from the log ship onto the boat and then back to the port, where an ambulance was waiting.