KEY POINTS:
The family of the woman struck by a 300kg bottlenose dolphin on Boxing Day have put out a statement clarifying the events of the day, thanking those who helped, and updating their daughter's condition.
Pukekohe woman, Kelly James, 27, was hit in the chest when a dolphin leapt into the boat she was in off Slipper Island off the Coromandel Peninsula. Dolphin experts have said the incident was highly unusual.
The James family today released a statement expressing the family's gratitude to those who helped. In particular, they singled out members of the public on a launch who were first to arrive and offer support, to Steve Taylor and crew of the Pauanui Coastguard Jet Rescue and Chris Deacon and crew of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
"The medical condition of Kelly has been reported extensively and we take this opportunity to advise that Kelly did not suffer from two cardiac arrests nor did she suffer significant facial injuries as has been reported." Kelly is currently in the Auckland City Hospital's intensive care unit and remains in a stable condition with no sedation.
The family said they were confident that Ms James' injuries were no longer life threatening but chest and pelvic injuries remained a concern.
"But we are encouraged from our conversations with Kelly that she is determined to recover from this unusual event. We are fortunate that Kelly was healthy prior to this incident and that she does not have other traumatic injuries." The family also expressed thanks to the staff at Auckland Hospital.
"Together with the medical care that Kelly is receiving and her determination to recover, we look forward to Kelly transferring from the intensive care unit but there will be some months of healing and rehabilitation that lie ahead of Kelly as she receives treatment in progressive stages." The family released the statement through a public relations firm and said they would be making no further comment to media.
They asked that their privacy be respected so Ms James could concentrate on her recovery.
Dolphin experts have said the incident was a freak accident and probably a world first.
It was more normal for dolphins to be hit by boats than for them to hit a boat and the incident.
- NZPA
