Missions
Fisherman Plucked From Cliff Face
February 2009
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Picture: Michael Muggerdge is winched to safety from crashing waves at Patea cliff face.
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"I was broken mate, a few more waves and that was the end of me. Then I saw the Rescue Helicopter. I've never been so happy to see anything in my life as that helicopter!" That was the reaction from Stratford man, Michael Muggeridge, on being plucked from the cliff face near Patea last month.
Michael, in his thirties, had been out fishing with friends, Wayne Hamilton and Newt Hart when disaster struck "We'd been out fishing but it got too choppy and we decided to come back in" says Wayne. "But coming over the Patea bar, we ended up side on to the surf, got hit by a wave and were tipped. We were flung across the boat and that was when Michael got tipped out."
Wayne steered the boat out of danger and immediately contacted the Life Guard but Michael was left in the water trying to swim for shore in high seas.
"I can't remember falling out of the boat" says Michael. My head came up out of the water and I remember yelling 'come back for me'". "All I could see was walls of waves and I thought 'I just gotta get out of here'".
"I had my lifejacket on and I headed for the shore. I came in on my back, diving under just before the big waves and getting ready for the next one. At one point I made it to the beach but I was hyperventilating and I couldn't calm down. I was on my hands and knees, trying to breathe when a big wave came and took me out again."
"I was smashed by some pearlers. The waves were lashing me against the cliffs, dropping me down, then sucking me out and smashing me in again. I was battered, bruised and close to exhaustion. I really couldn't have taken much more, but then I heard the chopper. What a beautiful sound! Normally I'm scared of helicopters but that machine was the best thing I have ever seen." says Michael.
Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust Manager and one of the winch crew team on duty on the day, Noel Watson, takes up the story. "We had no problem finding Michael. He was at the base of the cliff with big waves smashing in on top of him, completely covering his body. He was exhausted, unable to stand and barely conscious and we knew we had to act fast to get him out of danger."
As Paramedic, Rob Berry, was lowered on the winch all of the rescue team were aware just how tricky the rescue was. Pilot, David Manduell, had to keep the helicopter away from the cliffs and as steady as possible while Rob was winched down to the patient. Noel was controlling the winch, and Rob had to reach Michael in between the waves that continued to crash onto the cliffs.
Rob reached the exhausted Michael "I sprinted over the rocks and had to drag him out from under the cliff edge so that we could both be lifted into the helicopter. Timing was of the essence because the two metre high waves continued to break over us and I couldn't risk Michael being washed off the cliffs again."
Once Michael had been winched into the helicopter, Pilot David flew to nearby farmland where he landed so that Michael could be stabilised before being flown to Taranaki Base Hospital where he was treated for bruises and water inhalation. Michael's wetsuit and his lifejacket helped save his life but as he says "I am so grateful to the Rescue Helicopter crew that saved me. I knew I didn't want to die, I have three beautiful children, but I couldn't have taken much more. I could feel myself slipping away and I didn't think anybody would be coming. But the Rescue Helicopter saved me and I'm alive to tell the tale and, for that, I will always be thankful."
Gerry Kennedy
