Key Takeaways
- A 13-year-old girl was left stranded on a cliff face for hours after her friend fell to his death, due to a police mistake that refused air ambulance assistance.
- Police incorrectly concluded the girl was dead and declined the air ambulance request, citing cost as a factor.
- The incident highlights recurring problems with air ambulance and lines rescue responses, with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and police having different protocols and communication issues.
- FENZ has expressed frustration and distress over the incident, with concerns that the lack of air ambulance assistance delayed the rescue and put the girl’s life at risk.
- The incident has led to a review of protocols and communication between FENZ and police, with a focus on improving response times and coordination.
Introduction to the Incident
The tragic incident occurred on January 11, 2025, at Hahei Beach in the Coromandel, where a 13-year-old girl witnessed her friend fall to his death from a cliff face. Despite the urgency of the situation, police refused to authorize an air ambulance to assist in the rescue, citing cost as a factor. The girl was left stranded on the cliff face for hours, until a FENZ lines rescue team finally arrived on the scene and rescued her at midnight. The incident has raised concerns about the protocols and communication between FENZ and police, and has led to a review of their response to emergency situations.
The Rescue Effort
The rescue effort was hampered by a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings between FENZ and police. The Hahei volunteer fire crew arrived on the scene at 8:25pm and reported that the girl was trapped and needed lines rescue. However, police declined the request for an air ambulance, citing cost as a factor. The FENZ lines rescue team was forced to travel by road, which took over an hour and a half, instead of the 45 minutes it would have taken by helicopter. The team finally arrived on the scene at 10:31pm and began the rescue operation, which was completed at 11:59pm.
Communication Breakdown
The incident highlights a breakdown in communication between FENZ and police, with different protocols and procedures in place for responding to emergency situations. FENZ has expressed frustration and distress over the incident, with concerns that the lack of air ambulance assistance delayed the rescue and put the girl’s life at risk. The police, on the other hand, have acknowledged that they made a mistake in refusing the air ambulance request, but have not provided a clear explanation for their actions. The incident has led to a review of protocols and communication between FENZ and police, with a focus on improving response times and coordination.
Recurring Problems
The incident is not an isolated case, with FENZ and police having different protocols and communication issues that have led to delays and problems in responding to emergency situations. FENZ has expressed concerns that the lack of air ambulance assistance has delayed rescues and put lives at risk, and has called for a review of protocols and procedures. The police, on the other hand, have acknowledged that they need to improve their communication and coordination with FENZ, but have not provided a clear plan for how they will address these issues.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the incident at Hahei Beach highlights the need for improved communication and coordination between FENZ and police in responding to emergency situations. The lack of air ambulance assistance delayed the rescue and put the girl’s life at risk, and has led to a review of protocols and procedures. To prevent similar incidents in the future, it is recommended that FENZ and police develop clear and consistent protocols for responding to emergency situations, and that they improve their communication and coordination to ensure that air ambulance assistance is provided when needed. Additionally, FENZ and police should conduct regular reviews and training exercises to ensure that they are prepared to respond to emergency situations in a timely and effective manner. By working together and improving their communication and coordination, FENZ and police can ensure that they provide the best possible response to emergency situations and keep people safe.
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