ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE. Report on marine retrieval, 4/10/78, by duty officer Daniel Ross

1) Patient, Royce Thomas Daniel Rowland, extracted from sea off Westport by trawler Aurora at approx. 3.30pm, in estimate of skipper Rbt Dodds. Position: 141.31 S, 171.46 E.

Patient remained on deck in survival suit until Aurora intercepted by Greymouth Search and Rescue helicopter 4.03pm. When asked why patient had not been extracted from suit R. Dodds replied: ‘We asked the b … if he had any clothes on in there, and he said no, so we just propped him up by the wheelhouse. Warmer for him; we had nothing he could put on.’

S&R officer James Dunlop lowered to deck of Aurora, punctured suit with borrowed filleting knife and made initial examination for injury. No epidermal or vertebral damage found. Patient secured by dog clip to harness; J. Dunlop and R. Rowland winched into helicopter.

Pre-intensive diagnosis found incipient hypothermia and some bruising to face which could have resulted from explosion of suit, or contact with hull of Aurora as retrieval expedited.

Helicopter landed in Westport Technical College grounds, patient stretchered to ambulance and conveyed to Cobden St entrance, Buller Hospital. Transferred to gurney, conveyed to bed in preliminary ward, A&E.

Accessed by Dr Alan Gray. Report: body temperature 36 degrees F – above critical (below 35 degrees F); breathing slightly shallow but untroubled; heart rate regular; slight paleness. Capillary refill 0.7 sec – above critical cyanosis level of one second. Left eye bruised and showing signs of blackening; probably a blow to head as patient was retrieved from sea.

Patient held overnight for possible concussion. Released 8.10am, 5/10/78.