Palmerston North Police were yesterday searching for a despondent 17 year old local man who was eventually located 2/3 of the way down the cliff face between Anzac Park and Vaucluse Heights above the Manawatu River.
Police called upon the Palmerston North City Council Emergency Response Team to provide access across the river to the youth. They provide swift water and technical rope capability.
They assessed the youth and began to stabilise him until St John Ambulance Advanced Paramedics arrived to take over.
The youth was then lowered by rope and stretcher to the edge of the river where he was uplifted by the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter and flown to Palmerston North Hospital with a fractured pelvis.
Police Search and Rescue are grateful that they have such a resourceful group of volunteers readily available who are able to fit into a multi-agency response plan for such events. They would also like to thank the St. John Ambulance members and the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter for their assistance.
Andy Brooke
Palmerston North Police SAR