Helicopter crew use night goggles to rescue fisherman

Rescue crew attend to the fisherman. Photo / Lion Foundation Rescue Helicopter

The crew aboard Taupo's rescue helicopter tested their new night vision goggles last night while searching for a fisherman in the Tauranga Taupo Stream.

The man used his cellphone to alert emergency services after becoming ill and unable to move.

St John staff were unable to find the man as night fell and the rescue helicopter arrived on the scene at around 7pm.

Using the goggles, they immediately found him and his dog one kilometre up-stream from State Highway 1.

The pair were flown to Taupo Hospital for further treatment.

- NEWSTALK ZB