A Second Chance at Life

In the early hours of a fateful morning on 29th October 2022, Jack's partner Awa was alerted to a loud bang. The mum of their young daughter, with another daughter on the way, ran outside the family home in Mangatāwhiri. She was confronted with the carnage of a harrowing car crash sadly involving the love of her life - Jack.

"If not for the extraordinary efforts of the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, our brother wouldn't be around today," sister Destiny says.

Attending Air Crew Officer Stu Callow described the extrication process as, "incredibly difficult." It would take 90 minutes for emergency services to free Jack from the vehicle. He'd suffered critical injuries. Within 10 minutes of being freed, he was on his way to Auckland City Hospital aboard Westpac 1, one of the service's two Leonardo AW-169 helicopters.

"These words only scratch the surface of the remarkable skill and resilience embodied by crew," Jack's family says, "They defied all odds in rescuing Jack and saving his life."

Destiny watched on with other family members with bated breath as Jack's rescuers fought to save his life.

Like her brother, she was given a second chance in life thanks to Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew. Very young at the time, Destiny was airlifted with their mum and sister Jazz from a fatal car accident in Glenbrook on 14th June 2000. Tragically, the accident took the life of their older sister Chloe.

While witnessing the rescue teams work to save Jack's life, the family believe their efforts were, "nothing short of incredible."

"It also brought back incredibly challenging thoughts for us, as we were once in that helicopter, receiving life-saving treatment," Destiny says.

The family is pleased to report that Jack has made amazing progress with his recovery and wanted to thank crew.

Almost a year on, Jack is full of praise for their efforts.

"Your bravery and hard work allowed me to be a dad to my daughters, watch them grow up, and be with them every step of the way," Jack says.  

“Your actions gave me a second chance at life, and I'm really thankful for that. It is my hope that these tragedies experienced by our family can help raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies from happening to others."

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