The Westpac LIfesaver Helicopter is the equivalent of a mechanical angel in times of chaos.
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And it's been busy on the Mid-North Coast today as flood waters have wreaked havoc.
The NSW State Emergency Service moved Lifesaver 1 from Lismore to Taree to assist with flood rescues yesterday.
In a busy afternoon for Lifesaver 1 (manned by South Coast pilot Joe Cleary, air crew officer Euan McKenzie and rescue crew officer Harley Dengate), a man has been winched off the banks of the Macleay River at Kempsey after being surrounded by rising waters.
He has been flown back to his farm and family.
A family of seven, including a three-week old baby have been airlifted out of a remote property west of Wauchope and flown to Port Macquarie. They were isolated by flood waters and without food and power for 48 hours.
Finally, late this afternoon and whilst heading out to airlift this family, Lifesaver 1 was diverted to Long Flat to search for and rescue a woman who had driven into deep water and was trapped in her car. She was able to get to safety before the crew's arrival.
