Demonstration of New Air Ambulance

A valuable link between Gisborne and the outside world was demonstrated at Darton Field last month when the Gisborne Aero Club's new Cessna aircraft was put through its paces as an air ambulance. The large crowd which attended also saw the plane's capabilities in the air demonstrated in no uncertain way by the club's instructor, Mr Peter Kearins.

References to the value of the air ambulance service, by which a patient can be receiving specialist attention in a metropolitan hospital within two or three hours, were made by the Mayor, Mr H. H. Barker, and the surgeon superintendent of Cook Hospital, Mr W. G. Shiach.

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First step in the demonstration: the ambulance arriving alongside the waiting aircraft

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Guy Smith and Laurie Stockdale carry "patient" Roy Quinlivan.

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Mr Barker speaking, with the new Cessna behind him.

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"Patient" is strapped into special stretcher for flight. From left, Sue Holden, Guy Smith, Roy Williams, George Howchow, Peter Kearins, and Laurie Stockdale.