RESCUE BABY ON HER WAY HOME

“I was in shock about her being so early,” said Rererangi’s mother Haley, who was a three-hour drive from the hospital when she started going into labour.

 

The Lion Foundation Eastland Rescue Helicopter was called and for St John advanced paramedic Shane Clapperton, she was the first onboard baby he’d delivered in his 15 years of flying in rescue helicopters.

 

“It’s something we’re prepared for and have thought about before.  “The challenge was mum was quite unwell herself and the baby was only 29 weeks so very early. These were the two greatest worries I had.”  Haley, who lost a lot of blood during the delivery of Rererangi, described Shane as “awesome”.

“I was still freaking out because I hadn’t heard her squawk, but once Shane said to me she was breathing I was fine. I took in some sightseeing while I was up there!  “It was awesome because she was born and the sun had just risen.”

 

If it wasn’t for the Lion Foundation Eastland Rescue Helicopter, the pair would have faced a three-hour drive to Gisborne Hospital, rather than a 30-minute flight.

 

After enduring a two-week stint in Wellington for specialist treatment and a further five weeks at Gisborne hospital, Haley was looking forward to taking Rererangi back home to Hicks Bay.  “I can’t wait to go home now we know baby is ok. I miss home.”

 

 

Rescue baby Rererangi Reuben-Poi and mum Haley with St John advanced paramedic Shane Clapperton and pilot Hamish Ramsey from the Lion Foundation Eastland Rescue Helicopter.