RNZAF crew save East Timor baby

A New Zealand airforce helicopter crew serving in East Timor saved a baby suffering from respiratory difficulties this week

The baby girl was born five-weeks premature and was unlikely to have survived but for a mercy flight by an Iroquois crew, who flew 20 nautical miles off the coast of Dili to the mother's home on Atauro Island.

RNZAF Iroquois detachment commander Squadron Leader Daniel O'Reilly said an emergency medical team administered constant CPR to the infant during the flight back to medical facilities near Dili.

"If we had have been 30 minutes later it is highly likely she would have died. She is now stable with a very good prognosis."

There are two RNZAF Iroquois helicopters and more than 170 NZDF personnel serving in East Timor assisting Australian and Timorese defence personnel to maintain security.

- NZPA