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Palmerston North man flown to hospital
By CLIO FRANCIS – Friday, 09 January 2009
A 34-year-old factory worker found lying in a garden with severe head injuries yesterday morning has been flown by helicopter to Wellington Hospital.
Palmerston North police said they were called at 12.35am to a home in Tweed Street by a security guard serving a noise control notice at the address.
Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said the man initially been taken to Palmerston North Hospital and placed in an induced coma.
As he served the notice, he saw an unconscious man in the garden of the property..
"..
Perks said people at the Tweed street residence, where a party had been in progress, had told police they found the man unconscious in the street and had carried him to the house just before the security guard arrived. there have since been some concerns about his condition and he has now been transported by helicopter to the Neurological Unit at Wellington" she said.
Police said it was unclear why the victim was in Tweed Street in the first place because he did not live in the area and the street was not on his route home.
Blood was discovered on the road.
"Although the victim was roused by ambulance crews he has been in no condition to speak and it may be some time before he is able to.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Cliff Brown said unless further evidence was found to the contrary police would treat the case as a serious assault."
Police are appealing for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning to contact Detective Sergeant Dave Thompson on 06 351 3812.
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Kayaker finds body, thought to be missing man
By – Thursday, 13 November 2008
A teenager kayaking in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary has discovered a body believed to be that of missing ocean-outfall worker Tony Utteridge.
Christchurch police last night confirmed a 15-year-old kayaker had found a body in the estuary, about 100m off Redcliffs' Beachville Road, about 4.50pm yesterday.
Police said the male body was wearing clothing similar to that worn by Utteridge when he went missing 16 days ago.
The body has not been formally identified.
Campbell's body was recovered from the sea the following day.
The Lyttelton man and co-worker Jody Campbell from the ocean-outfall project off South New Brighton were last seen on an inflatable boat off the Lyttelton Heads on Tuesday, October 28. .
They were called by police to last night's discovery.
Coastguard units had responded to several potential sightings in the past two weeks.
His mother, Helen, said at the time it was not good that her son's body remained missing.
Utteridge's family farewelled him at a memorial service last Friday.
Coastguard southern regional manager Cheryl Moffat said she hoped the discovery would bring a sense of closure for the family.
The Utteridge family has been advised that a body has been recovered.
Inspector John Doherty said the case had been referred to the coroner.
Inspector John Doherty said the case had been referred to the coroner.
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Wanaka helicopter crash victim takes last flight
By JOANNE CARROLL – Thursday, 13 November 2008
FINAL FAREWELL: Dave Saxton mourns his son Morgan before flying away with his body from Wanaka Airport after yesterday’s funeral.
A best friend, top pilot, a story teller and a fun character who filled a room with joy and laughter.
They were just some of the testimonies given about helicopter pilot Morgan Saxton at his funeral in Wanaka yesterday.
Six pall bearers carried Saxton's coffin into the hangar which was decorated with punga trees and photos. .
A herd of deer on a farm bordering the airport also formed a guard of honour of sorts, standing silhouetted against the skyline examining down on the final farewell to a much-loved man..
Saxton, 31, died when his helicopter went down in Lake Wanaka on November 1.
Friend Matt Wallis spoke to the media before the funeral.
An extensive search by police, navy and volunteers resulted in the recovery of Saxton's body and his helicopter from a depth of 94m.
"We're celebrating Morgan's life, not mourning his death," he said. He said the "mind-blowing" number of well-wishers was a testament to how many people Saxton touched in his life, which was "far too short".
Those close to Saxton paid tribute to him during the ceremony.
The Rev Denis Bartley officiated the ceremony and said Saxton was a beloved son, brother, partner, uncle, cousin, godfather and mate. His uncle Jerry Hohneck spoke about Saxton's schoolboy years, to getting his commercial pilot's licence at the age of 18. His uncle Jerry Hohneck spoke about Saxton's schoolboy years, to getting his commercial pilot's licence at the age of 18.
The depth was beyond the diving capacity of the search teams but the recovery was achieved by adapting a hook on a skipole and attaching it to an underwater remote-operated camera in order to attach a line to the fuselage.
Saxton's friend Jonathan Wallis spoke about the extensive search for Saxton in Lake Wanaka, which was "the best send-off of all".
His father, David, simply thanked those present to say goodbye to the young man he called "my boy".
Others who paid tribute, Toby Wallis, Paul Horrell, Gus Gordon, Dick Deaker and Tim Wallis, all described Saxton as a fun loving character with a heart of gold.
"I am humbled by the sense of community and camaraderie and the lengths people went to get Morgan back," he said.
The head of the navy dive team, Lieutenant Commander Andrew McMillan, told mourners that while Saxton's death was a "terrible tragedy", helping get his body back was a "positive experience". It was followed by a procession of helicopters. After the ceremony Saxton's coffin was taken away by helicopter for a private family committal and blessing.Fairfax
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Normandy veterans recall fallen comrades
Monday, 03 November 2008
Agehas slowed their movements and time whittled down their numbers, but veterans of the Normandy invasion still gathered in Wellington to remember their fallen comrades.
Among the nine survivors of the invasion who gathered at the National War Memorial yesterday was Ken Boyden, who landed with the Royal Engineers on June 7, 1944 – the following day D-Day – as the Allies fought their way inland during World War II.
Mr Boyden remembered the "utter confusion and many deaths" of the invasion, and the terrible toll paid by both soldiers and French civilians.
"We were either building bridges, or blowing them up," he said. They were caught by a terrific salvo from battleships, and then in the crossfire between the Allies and Germans.
"The locals were told they had 30 minutes to leave their homes. ."
More than 2000 French civilians and 6000 Allied soldiers died on D-Day, with thousands more killed in the campaign that followed. It remains the biggest amphibious military operation that has been carried out.
The invasion involved 6500 ships carrying more than 250,000 soldiers.
"So many young men were denied years of experience," he said during the service.
Yesterday's memorial service was attended by Peter Hodge, the British general-secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association.
Only 46 New Zealand survivors from the battle for Normandy are left, out of an original 10,000 New Zealand air and navy personnel.
"What was their last thought? Did they have time for a last thought?"
It was important to remember their sacrifice as their ranks diminished, Mr Hodge said.
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Orca saved after beaching in Papamoa (+pics)
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Photo 5 of 5
An orca whale that stranded on Papamoa Beach early yesterday morning was refloated after a massive rescue attempt by locals and marine experts.
The adult male whale – nicknamed Nobby – was last seen swimming towards Taumaihi Island, apparently none the worse for his 10-hour ordeal.
Nobby was spotted by fishermen shortly before 6am yesterday.
"I was in the water with him and he was swimming especially strongly," said orca expert Dr Ingrid Visser, who jumped into a surf boat and followed Nobby for about 15 minutes as he made his way out to sea. A digger was used to remove sand from around the whale, while volunteers poured water on him and gave him fresh water. A team of people, including Visser, Project Jonah and Department of Conservation staff, spent the morning trying to refloat him.
Visser said Nobby, who is well-known among New Zealand marine experts, was probably chasing a stingray in shallow waters when he became stranded. More than a thousand people flocked to Papamoa Beach to watch the rescue mission unfold. Once we managed to get him turned around and pointed out to the ocean he was very keen to swim away.
"He was probably so focused on the ray that he just made a mistake.
"We can follow him that way and see where he goes."
Visser is keen to keep track of Nobby and is urging anyone who spots a whale to ring 0800 SEE ORCA."