A ‘critically unwell baby’ required the swift attention of Mōkau’s Constable Donna Potroz as a result of last week’s floods and slips in the Awakino Gorge.
A newborn was being transferred by ambulance from New Plymouth to Waikato Hospital when a slip blocked the road and poor weather grounded any hopes of rescue by air.
The ambulance crew and motorists trapped by the slip were grateful for Potroz’s assistance.
She went above and beyond, putting the safety of others ahead of her own, NZ Police inspector Darin Haenga said.
“When situations like these present themselves people rely on our support. Constable Potroz was brilliant, helping all these people trapped by the slips to feel safe and be safe.
Potroz escorted the ambulance as soon as roading contractors were able to clear enough of the road for its passage said Chris Haines, Hato Hone St John.
“Constable Potroz chose to travel alongside. Along the way, we encountered more road obstructions which meant we had to evaluate our options and adjust our plans, with the support of police,” said Haines.
“It became clear that waiting for a bigger slip to be cleared would take a long time so we decided to turn around and return to New Plymouth.”
As soon as conditions improved, the baby was airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
“We are also grateful to have had a team of neonatal intensive care specialists aboard our ambulance to provide essential care to the patient, a critically unwell baby,” Haines said.
Haenga also acknowledged “how well served our communities were by roading crews at the scene and the ambulance and Health New Zealand staff who worked hard through the night”.
One of the significant slips in the Awakino Gorge last week.
