Double Mercy Flight
p. 42 · Read in the full issue
By RNZAF for Young Niue Islander
WHEN a 21-year-old Niue Islander named Fatahetoa suffered severe facial and eye inquries through an explosion, in mid- August, the RNZAF’s No. 5 Flying Boat Squadron, based in Fiji, 'was called to provide urgent transport to hospital.
A Sunderland commanded by Flight-Lieutenant H. H. Torgersen managed to alight safely on the open sea in the lee of Niue and take off again with the patient half an hour later. A rough flight was experienced.
This is believed to be only the second occasion on which an air craft has visited the island. The first visit was by a Catalina dur ing the war.
At Suva that evening it was found that the patient would have to be sent to Auckland for an operation and a second Sunderland was despatched under the com mand of Flying Ofiicer Dwyer.
This aircraft met very severe weather, with thunderstorms and icing conditions. All aboard were exhausted when they reached Auck land next morning. An engine threatened to cut out at one stage of the flight.
The patient was rushed to hospital and was later reported to be in fair condition.