Northern Rivers rescue services have been working around the clock over the past three days.
In the last 24 hours, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter has been tasked by New South Wales Ambulance on multiple primary missions due to flooding in the Northern Rivers.
These included: Goonengerry – where two male patients were airlifted to Lismore Base Hospital with one male in his 50s suffering a medical condition and the other male in his 30s with head injuries sustained after a tree branch fell on a tent. Both were in a stable condition.
Cedar Point – where a male in his 50s requiring medical treatment was airlifted from a property to Lismore Base Hospital. He was in a stable condition.
Larnook – where a 53-year-old male was stretcher winched out of his property suffering a medical condition to Lismore Base Hospital. Due to inaccessibility, the helicopter had to winch insert the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team into the property to treat the patient before he could be winch extricated by stretcher. He was in a stable condition.
Coutts Crossing – where a 60-year-old male was airlifted to Grafton Hospital suffering a medical condition. He was in a stable condition.
The helicopter also transported NSWA paramedics to Evans Head due to access issues with flooding.
SES performs dozens of rescues
Adam Jones spokesperson for the NSW SES told The Echo this yesterday that, they had performed 53 rescues so far in the Northern Rivers. ‘At present, we are not able to release an exact breakdown of the areas in which rescues were performed as the situation is ongoing.
‘We reiterate that people should not drive or walk through floodwaters. Please follow any warnings provided by the SES. At present, there is a flash flooding warning issued by the BOM for the majority of the Northern Rivers,’ said Mr Jones.
‘In addition, the NSW SES really want to say thank you to those community members who have left their homes and have got out, that’s the best thing that you could have done for the safety of yourself and your family and community members. We’d also like to thank those people in the community who have taken those evacuees into their own homes.’
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