Update 16th July 2015:
The surfer, Leah Cameron, a 22-year-old intensive care nurse, used her surfboard leg rope as a tourniquet to stop the blood flowing from a gaping fin wound after in a freak accident. After some operations and spending three days in hospital and getting a patient’s perspective on medical life, the 22-year-old was discharged home and is expected to make a full recovery.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/70239467/surfer-impaled-by-fin-in-twilight-beach-horror
Media Release: Philips Search and Rescue Trust, 13.07.15
Surfer Struck by board, Ruapuke Beach
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Ruapuke beach, South of Raglan, late on Monday evening, 13th July, to retrieve a 22 year old female who suffered a deep laceration of the left thigh, when she was struck by the fin of her surfboard. It was feared that the fin, which was completely sheared from the board by the impact, may have lacerated an artery. Due to the severity of the injury and the remote location, the rescue helicopter was dispatched.
She was in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital where she was flown by Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Philips Search and Rescue Trust is a charitable organisation, operating rescue helicopters throughout the Central North Island. Philips Search and Rescue Trust relies on support from principal sponsors and community donations. Special thanks to Waikato King Country’s principal sponsor, Westpac. This crucial financial support ensures our rescue helicopters can continue to bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and trauma-trained medics directly to the patient. For further information about PSRT visit the website http://rescue.org.nz.