Regional helicopter not used in search for lacking diver in Catlins

Jake Bridson. Photo and ODT

Every Catlins bach owner believes “politics” may have hampered a helicopter research for a Heriot man who died not to mention freediving near his Newhaven real-estate last month.

Jake Bridson, 23, of Heriot, died within popular Catlins snorkelling spot Owaka Heads about noon on January 27, after he became divided from a fellow diver.

An Otago Regional Rescue Micro helicotper arrived from Dunedin about 1pm, and located Bridson’s body by about 1 . 40pm.

Yet , Newhaven bach owner David Pearson said this week a second, charter micro helicotper was also present from about noonday noontide, meridian, only 1km from the search local area.

He said your better half believed only “politics” had definitely avoided it from taking part in the company, and beginning the aerial seek out much earlier.

Pearson said his family had chartered Highland Helicopters, of Dunedin, to take a sick relative to their Surat Bay Rd bach that time of day, and quickly became aware the incident was under way going 1km across the estuary, due to the process of multiple search vessels.

The charter helicopter was flown by Highland Helicopters owner Paul Williams, accompanied by wife and taught observer Kirsty.

Pearson said although the Williams had wanted to begin the aerial search pretty much immediately, he understood they were struggling to do so as the helicopter had not been “tasked” for the rescue mission by law enforcement officials.

“I have a problem with the terrible fact there was a helicopter [near the incident site], and it was not utilised in the investigate. The machine and observer were are you ready and available at least an hour the particular rescue helicopter arrived. ”

He said although he still did not believe its use will have changed the outcome, it could have safe those waiting “a lot of grief”.

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“The those of Newhaven were extremely depressed to watch the drama unfold, like were the pilot and double from Highland Helicopters.

“When it comes to saving a time or easing the burden of tremendous grief for a family, surely politics plus contracts should not enter the equation? in

Highland Helicopters rejected to comment in detail on the position, but confirmed Pearson’s statements related times, personnel and availability.

Otago Coastal SAR co-ordinator Sergeant Nathan White said study and rescue operations favoured husband agencies, such as the Otago Regional Try Helicopter, with whom police skilled regularly.

“During the entire formal planning phase of an operations, we will always look to see you are able to search assets we have available and we might require.

“We were not immediately aware of the presence of each of our charter helicopter during this incident. inches

Otago Regional Recover Helicopter chief pilot Graeme Gale, who monitored the incident at Dunedin, said yesterday it was outlandish to expect an unequipped charter helicopter to conduct a formal search yet rescue operation.

“The helicopter we sent had aquatic rescue personnel, winch operators on top of that intensive care paramedics on board, in addition infra-red detection equipment available.

“To imagine a local msr without the proper resources could around the globe jump in is unrealistic at best. alone

Gale said the affected individual and his team would conduct the filtration “exactly the same way” if it whether or not today.

“Our mafia was airborne within three or four situations, and on-site 20 minutes marriage initial alert.

“The operation was conducted as as quickly as possible, given the information available.

“Unfortunately the outcome is very, some what sad for the family. ”