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Flood Aftermath: Why Wasn’T Helimed Used?

Eastern Region MP Peter Hall wants an investigation into why local search and rescue service Helimed 1 was not called into action during the recent flood evacuations.

By Peter Hall - 24th July 2007 - Back to News

Mr Hall has raised the issue in Parliament, calling on the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to investigate why Helimed 1 was left on the sidelines.

Mr Hall told Parliament some 90 people had to be evacuated by air from flood-affected areas in the Newry and Tinamba areas, work that was initially undertaken by the police.

"They had a large number of people to evacuate in a short amount of time. The police helicopter was used to airlift those evacuees and did a magnificent job in doing so," the Nationals MP said.

"However, it could not cope with the 90 or so people who had to be evacuated. It was brought to my attention that the East Sale Royal Australia Air Force search and rescue helicopter was called in to assist with those evacuations.

"What I want from the minister is a satisfactory explanation and perhaps an investigation into why the Gippsland-based Helimed 1 air ambulance was not used for the purposes of evacuating those people."

Mr Hall pointed out that Helimed 1 is a locally based helicopter service well experienced in search and rescue work.

"If members (of Parliament) cast their minds back just a short few years, they will remember that 12 people in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race were lifted off a stricken yacht by Helimed 1.

"It did a magnificent job in rescuing those people (and) it could have been used to assist in the evacuation of those flood-affected people."

Mr Hall reiterated his praise for the efforts of all emergency services people involved during the floods, including police and RAAF personnel.

"Thankfully everything turned out right and no lives were lost, but there could well have been some more serious consequences. I seek an investigation by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the other house and an explanation of why Helimed 1, which was on stand-by and available for such purposes, was not used in the evacuation of those people in the Newry and Tinamba areas.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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