KEY POINTS:
Two rescue helicopters will meet a Japanese trawler 180km off the coast of Dunedin tomorrow to uplift a crew member with crushed fingers.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) received the call from the trawler at 11.15am today when it was 385 nautical miles (700km) southeast of Dunedin.
A 25-year-old Kiribati crew member had his fingers crushed in an accident on board the vessel at about 11am.
As the vessel was outside the range of emergency aircraft, RCCNZ has organised a pick-up point closer to shore, and the trawler was now making its way to the designated area.
Two helicopters, one to airlift the injured crewman and one to act as cover, will meet the trawler at a point about 180km from shore. The evacuation is expected to take place at about 10am tomorrow.
A doctor in Wellington was able to give trawler crew medical advice by telephone.
The injured crewman was reported to be in a stable and comfortable condition.
- NZPA
