Please attribute to Superintendent John Price, Canterbury District Commander:?
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A number of incidents in Christchurch this week have again demonstrated the invaluable support the Air Support Unit is providing in Canterbury District as the Eagle trial progresses.
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At around 6.15pm last night, Police received a call from a concerned member of the public who had seen a car driving on the wrong side of the road over a considerable distance.?
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The car had last been seen heading north on Pigeon Bay Road - a very remote, windy road - and oncoming vehicles were having to swerve to avoid head-on collisions.?
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Eagle was notified of the job and began flying along Pigeon Bay Road looking for the car.?
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The car was quickly located parked at the beach at Pigeon Bay, and a woman was observed sitting on the beach.?
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Police staff on the ground had also been dispatched, but were around an hour away due to the remote location.
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A decision was made to land the helicopter, speak to the woman, and prevent her from driving if she was impaired in any way.?
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Prior to the crew being able to land however, the woman returned to the car and drove away.??
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Eagle continued to monitor the car and the manner of driving made it clear that a serious crash would occur if the car was not stopped.?
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The crew located an appropriate place to safely land the helicopter and conduct a vehicle stop.?
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The car was stopped without incident.
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When Police spoke to the woman, she appeared to be intoxicated.
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There was also damage to the front of the vehicle, suggesting the car may have already been involved in a collision of some sort.?
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The woman, a 33-year-old,? refused breath and blood tests and has been summoned to appear in court next month.??
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I would like to extend my thanks to the member of the public who initially called us to report the woman’s manner of driving.?
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That call enabled us to quickly locate the relevant vehicle and prevent harm to other road users.??
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Earlier in the day, the Eagle crew were alerted to a man who had suffered an apparent heart attack outside Christchurch Park on Westminster Street.
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Eagle was able to land in the park, set up the defibrillator that they carry on board at all times,? and monitor the man's condition until Ambulance staff arrived.?
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The man was transported to hospital by Ambulance staff, reportedly in a serious condition.??
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On Monday this week, Eagle assisted with a water rescue in Lyttelton Harbour, and helped to locate a person who had threatened to self-harm.??
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ENDS
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Issued by Police Media Centre.?
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