FED: Helicopter crews share international accolade

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-1999
FED: Helicopter crews share international accolade

CANBERRA, April 21 AAP - Australian rescue helicopter services will share an international
award for excellence for their rescue of 55 sailors during the Sydney-to-Hobart yachting
disaster.

Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR), 10 naval and civilian helicopters plus an ABC
helicopter will be awarded the prestigious Captain William J Kossler Award by the American
Helicopter Society International (AHSI) in Montreal, Canada, on May 26.

The annual award, established in 1951, recognises the greatest achievement in practical
application or operation of rotary wing aircraft.

Australian helicopter crews winched 55 sailors from 20-metre seas in 50 hours after the
demasted yacht Stand Aside raised the first alarm at 3pm on December 27.

In a dual tribute to the rescuers' efforts, Victorian Heli Med paramedic Peter Davidson and
winchman David Sullivan will be inducted into the Aviation Week and Space Technology Aerospace
Hall of Fame in the United States this week.

SouthCare Helicopter executive officer Wayne Evans said the Canberra-based service, which
has only existed since October, was honoured to share the accolade for its part in rescuing
nine crew members of Stand Aside and Midnight Special.

"One of our crew had flown in navy helicopters for 21 years and said the conditions were
the worst he'd ever seen," Mr Evans said.

"The paramedics could have said it was too risky to go down (on a winch) but they didn't."

Also sharing the award are four naval Sea Hawk and Sea King helicopters; Heli Med One,
Polair One and Lima Uniform India, all from Victoria; and from New South Wales, Careflight and
Lifesaver Three.

AHS Australian chapter vice president Barney O'Shea, who made the winning nomination, said
Australians had never won the award before.

Six yachtsmen died in cyclonic conditions during Australia's premier bluewater classic
which only 44 yachts from a fleet of 115 finished.

AAP rmg/mfh/trm

KEYWORD: SYDHOB AWARDS (CARRIED EARLIER)

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