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Guardian
Ashburton
www.guardianONLINE.co.nz
Monday, April 1, 2013
FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879
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Tough flu season ahead By Sam Morton Get ready Mid Canterbury ... another tough flu season is ahead. Expert clinical virologist Lance Jennings, of the Canterbury District Health Board, has sounded a loud warning to residents who have yet to get the flu vaccine, pointing out overseas trends
suggest killer flu strains could find a way into New Zealand this winter. As Mid Canterbury and the rest of the country prepares for its second dose of flu, following last year’s epidemic, health experts are urging residents to get vaccinated. Last year, flu cases swept through Canterbury and hospitalised almost 350 people – more
than four times the national average. Mid Canterbury businesses felt the pinch as staff laid low and productivity lacked. As winter looms, Dr Jennings says it is unlikely Canterbury will experience a similar epidemic, but he is encouraging people to prepare for the worst. However, Dr Jennings is confident if people get the flu vaccine and take precautions to stop the
spread of flu, the season will pass by with minor issue. During summer, the United States was impacted severely by a killer flu strain, which Dr Jennings and other health officials fear may reach our shores. “There is nothing on the horizon at the moment though, but we have to remember influenza strains can be very unpredictable and catch us by surprise,” he
said. “Our approach at the CDHB is to prepare for the worst and we have put in place free vaccination programmes for vulnerable groups such as school children, that being anyone under 18.” Last year, Mid Canterbury recorded two deaths associated with the influenza A virus (H3N2). Records show the same virus emerged in a global pandemic in 1968, but before last year the
virus hadn’t been present for over four years. Other reports globally reveal the H1N1 strain has recently been causing severe infections in the Mediterranean and Dr Jennings said New Zealand could be hit with both deadly strains this winter. “In saying that though, Canterbury could also get off lightly while the virus seriously
affects other regions . . . it’s too difficult to predict,” he said. “(But) with influenza, we are always trained to expect the unexpected . . . we must always be prepared for every eventuality.” Dr Jennings urged residents to see their GP and get vaccinated before next month. In Canterbury, under 18s will receive the vaccine free.
Vehicle fire at riverbed Police are investigating the cause of a fire in the Rakaia riverbed. It was the fourth suspected arson attack reported to Canterbury police during the long weekend. The Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to yesterday’s callout about 11.30am. The blaze was in the vicinity of Acton Road. Rakaia volunteer fire officer Murray Smith said a vehicle had apparently been set alight, and a person in the riverbed at the time alerted the fire brigade. Mr Smith said while the blaze
was not large, accessing it was difficult. “It would have been terrible if we had needed to get in there at night,” he said. The movements of a vehicle in the area just before the blaze had aroused suspicions and Ashburton police attended the scene yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile, Christchurch police are investigating three suspected arson incidents; a scrub fire on the Port Hills, a torched car and a fire onboard a grounded yacht.
Bodies trapped in plane wreck Rescuers are struggling to reach the “We know that there’s been a terbodies of 2degrees’ boss Eric Hertz rible accident, and we don’t know the and his wife Kathy, believed to be cause.” inside the plane wreckage on the sea The board and a management team floor. are working on a plan to ensure the Police were doing everything possi- company continues. ble to recover the bodies, but the depth However, the company’s focus was of the wreckage 60 metres below the on providing support to the cousurface made it a “very complex situ- ple’s daughter, keeping their family ation”, said Waikato police Inspector in the US informed of the progress Marcus Lynam. of recovery, and assistExperts’ opinions ing police, Mr Bolland and sonar work had said. led them to believe the Mr Hertz was an couple’s bodies were “avid” aviator with 10 with the aircraft, he years’ experience, who said. was qualified to fly on The couple were flyinstruments alone, and ing to Timaru to visit owned two planes. their daughter Ari in “Not a beginner, and Christchurch, but very meticulous about never arrived. During his flying.” the flight the aircraft The couple called reported engine trouble New Zealand home, and ditched into the said Mr Bollard. sea off Gannet Island. The rescue operation Yesterday shocked has now switched to Eric Hertz colleagues were comone of recovery, and ing to terms with the loss of Mr Hertz, has been handed to police to coa man described as an inspirational ordinate. leader and an “honorary Kiwi”. “RCCNZ [Rescue Co-ordination “I think it’s fair to say that the Centre] have stated that the area people at 2degrees are in shock. The around where debris and oil was fact that we won’t see him back, found was extensively searched, and or Kathy, is quite stunning, said that had the two occupants of the 2degrees’ director of corporate affairs twin engined Beechcraft Baron been Mat Bolland. on the surface, they would have been “We’re going to miss Eric’s leader- found,” said head of the recovery ship, friendship and dry sense of operation, Sergeant Warren Shaw, of humour. He was our ‘honorary Kiwi’ Waikato Search and Rescue. and greatly respected by our 760 When the Westpac Rescue Helicopter staff.” in Auckland investigated, its crew Mr Bolland talked about his plans found an oil slick and wreckage about for the long weekend during a man- 20km northwest of the entrance to agement meeting on Thursday “and Kawhia Harbour, near Gannet Island. yet again Eric probably had a more The aircraft is understood to have exciting weekend planned than many hit the water at high speed. of us. - APNZ
Riders take off out of the blocks at the start of a race in Methven’s Mountain Thunder on Saturday.
Thunder rumbles Methven ONLINE.co.nz
By Jonathan Leask The almost 3000 strong crowd that packed into the Methven town centre on Easter Saturday were not left wondering why it was called the Mountain Thunder. The roar of the motorcycles could be heard for miles around while thousands lined the hay bale barricades to catch the high speed street racing action up close. “When that first race starts and you hear the rumble from
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the engines you know why it’s called Mountain Thunder,” said Mountain Thunder event organiser Rachel Moore. “We couldn’t have asked for a better day and we had close
to 3000 people crammed into Methven town centre to watch some great racing. “It was a fantastic atmosphere and they all got to see some great action.”
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The large crowd came from throughout New Zealand and there was a sizable international flavour in the crowd as well. “We had Australians, Americans and plenty from the UK and they all seemed to love it with one lady telling me the event was ‘bloody brilliant’.” There were thrills and plenty of spills across the seven classes as the 80 riders reached speeds of up to 200km/h around the tight 1km circuit.
Like any high speed event there is risk involved and despite every precaution accidents can happen. A spectator was taken by ambulance after a bike ditched its rider and managed to jump the barricade, but she only suffered minor bruising. One of the riders was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital after suffering a broken collar bone from a fall.
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