Heroic first responders landed on an ash covered White Island despite danger warnings, to evacuate survivors. 9News
With their heads tucked tightly towards their chests two first responders knelt silently as the moon-like ash of New Zealand's White Island swirled wildly around them.
Newly-released video from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter shows two rescue crew being dropped onto the island by to assess tourists who were sightseeing when the island volcano erupted.Two of the first responders kneeling among the moon-like dust of White Island following the deadly eruption. Three crews from Westpac Auckland Rescue Helicopters helped with the rescue effort, along with two crews from private helicopter companies and a Volcanic Air helicopter."They were pretty poorly, obviously difficult to see specific details," Mr Taylor told TVNZ.
"Obviously requiring transport by helicopter meant they were very sick anyway, so they were in fairly serious condition. The main concern would have been for any follow-up eruptions. They are obviously aware that there had been a single significant event and still quite a lot of steam and smoke coming from the volcano, so they will have been concerned if something else had happened."
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told parliament there were two groups of people on White Island at the time, those who were able to be evacuated and those who were close to the eruption.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Five dead, tourists unaccounted for after White Island volcano erupts in NZ's Bay of PlentyThere are fears for Australians caught up in a volcanic eruption on a New Zealand Island that has left at least one person dead and others missing
Read more »
Five dead, tourists unaccounted for after White Island volcano erupts in NZ's Bay of PlentyUp to 50 people may have been on Whakaari or White Island in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, when the island volcano erupted on Monday.
Read more »
Five dead, tourists unaccounted for after White Island volcano erupts in NZ's Bay of PlentyUp to 50 people may have been on Whakaari or White Island in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, when the island volcano erupted on Monday.
Read more »
White Island volcano erupts in NZ's Bay of PlentyA volcanic eruption on Whakaari or White Island in New Zealand, has forced the country's aviation code to be raised to orange
Read more »
No more survivors on White Island after volcanic eruption: policePrime Minister Scott Morrison has warned Australians to 'prepare for some difficult news' in the days ahead as police revealed they did not expect to find any more survivors from a devastating volcanic eruption in New Zealand.
Read more »
New Zealand updates: White Island volcano eruption leaves multiple dead, critically injuredTwenty-four Australians toured White Island yesterday, 13 are in hospital, 11 are still missing. Three are believed to be among the five people confirmed dead. We will provide updates via this blog, including numbers to call if you're concerned.
Read more »