Emergency Services congratulated on daring boat rescue

Emergency services personnel have performed a daring rescue of 32 passengers and five crew from a stricken vessel off Hook Island in the Whitsunday’s this morning

Premier Anna Bligh said she congratulated all emergency services personnel involved in the rescue from the single-hull vessel, which had become wedged between rocks close to the shoreline in the extreme weather conditions overnight.

“Pilots and crew of Emergency Management Queensland’s Townsville-based helicopter and the Mackay-based CQ Rescue Helicopter rescued passengers and crew by winching the passengers to safety,” Ms Bligh said.

“I congratulate all emergency service personnel on the rescue. It was done in very difficult conditions.

“All passengers and crew were flown to nearby Hayman Island and they were assessed by the on-board paramedic and doctor.”

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said ironically the EMQ helicopter at Townsville and Cairns, their pilots and crews, will feature in a four-part TV series on the ABC from 8pm tonight (Tuesday, 12 February).

“The rescue was one of many tasks our emergency rescue helicopters have undertaken during the course of heavy rain, wind gusts and flooding over the last two months,” Mr Roberts said.

“We are alert for further extreme weather conditions and flooding with a severe weather warning current for large areas of Queensland.”

12 February, 2008

Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500