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Wednesday 7 March 2012
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Rotoiti’s classic boat show
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WINDOW ON WAKEFIELD Page 16 - 17
BOP hooker takes up dual role at Wanderers Page 22
Biker flown to hospital after bee sting Phillip Rollo A Richmond mountain biker was helicoptered out of St Arnaud after he was stung on the tongue by a bee. Al Wilson was mountain biking along Mt Robert on Sunday with a group of mates when he was stung in the mouth. The 47 year-old suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction and was swiftly taken to Nelson Hospital by the rescue helicopter. When he initially came off the track, unable to speak due to a heavily swollen mouth, he was transported by one of his friends to a nearby ambulance, which was situated at the NZ Classic and Antique
Because of severe Boat Show held at swelling and the anaLake Rotoiti over the weekend. phylactic reaction, the Medimax Ambulance decision was made intensive car parato request the rescue helicopter to transfer medic Maxwell Clark Al to Nelson Hospital. says Al’s symptoms were “very severe” Nelson Lakes volunfollowing the “rare” teer fire brigade and incident. “Whenever Al Wilson is transported to the res- a local doctor, Jane someone is stung in- cue helicopter in St Arnaud follow- Hopgood, were also side the mouth it is ing a bee sting. Photo: Phillip Rollo. on scene. The helicopvery serious because it ter was forced to land can block off your airways,” says Maxwell. on the shore of the lake as it was unable to He received advanced treatment in the find a clear landing because of yacht masts ambulance, including IV fluid. and large crowds of people.
Waimea Village residents protest another proposed rate increase by the owners of the village in front of passing traffic in Richmond last Friday. Photo: Phillip Rollo.
Now recovered, Al says he was feeling much better on Monday. He was grateful for having “good mates” with him to help out and was thanking a few lucky circumstances on the way, including having cellphone reception to call two of the friends on motorbikes, having an ambulance nearby and a GP at the event’s entrance. “She realised there was a bit of an emergency and came over to the ambulance,” says Al. “I didn’t know how serious it could be. If we had been an hour further out who knows what could have happened? It could have been one of those ‘I shouldn’t be alive’ moments. All I know is it’s bloody scary when you can’t talk.”
Price protest hits the streets More than 30 Waimea Village residents attracted hundreds of honks from drivers supporting their bid to stop owners Michael and Carolyn Wright once again raising the fees they pay. Holding signs like “bullying, intimidation” and “2 Wrights make it wrong” the mainly elderly residents attracted plenty of support. The action comes after Michael and Carolyn decided to lift the service fees from $80 a month in 2010 to $284 a month this year. Currently residents pay $125 per month for services like maintenance of the common ground, weekly van rides to Richmond
and green waste collection. Residents own their own homes and pay normal council rates on top of the monthly fees. Michael says the increases are needed for the village to break even and the protesters aren’t fully aware of the facts. “I don’t have a problem [with the protest], it’s a free country. Unfortunately they’ve been misled by the media, their [residents] committee and representatives of the council. “They don’t have an understanding of the issue other than it’s a big
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