USAR rescue trapped person in floods in Manukau Heads

During the Auckland floods earlier this year, some of our brigades and members of our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team were called to Orua Bay in Manukau Heads to rescue two people trapped within a collapsed building.

National USAR Operations Manager (Acting) Phil Grace said the call came into NorthCom on 1 February at around midday. 

‘Āwhitu, Waiuku, and Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigades were dispatched along with the Papatoetoe technical rescue tender which was fully crewed with four USAR technicians. The USAR Incident Management Team (IMT) was operating out of Te Hiku Regional HQ. 

‘The Police Eagle helicopter was in the area and was able to take some aerial photos of the collapse and send these to USAR IMT for evaluation. It was clear that this was a significant collapse, and the IMT was able to instigate a higher level USAR response by deploying additional support using the air desk and Heli Sika helicopters.

‘Due to concerns that access for Fire and Emergency crews to the site was impeded by road blockages from landslips, personnel and equipment were also deployed using the Auckland International Airport Rescue Fire hovercraft to cross the Manukau harbour.’ 

On arrival, Phil said the volunteer firefighters and USAR crews found the building had been pushed off its foundations by approximately 200 tonnes of soil and the front of the building was face down on the beach below, right on low tide.

‘One person was located immediately, and one person was missing, trapped within the completely collapsed structure. Crews stabilised the structure with concerns strong winds would cause further movement and collapse. 

‘The location of the trapped person was determined as approximately 1.5m below the high tide mark. With the tide fully out and turning to an incoming tide, there was pressure on rescue crews to act decisively and quickly. The structure was carefully deconstructed to provide access to the person. 

‘The Westpac rescue helicopter paramedics stabilised the person who was then extricated and flown to hospital for treatment.’