We as four-wheel drivers are constantly under attack from the media and certain segments of the community, usually for the anti-social behaviour of a few 4WD owners. But the upside is rarely reported.

Here’s a story about a 4WD owner who went the “extra mile” to help people in distress. We don’t believe it’s an isolated case, and we’d like to hear more stories about 4WDs “coming to the rescue”.

Kevin Alderson and his Land Rover special “Oddball” were featured in NZ4WD in the 2008 issue, 2008

Kevin lives at South Head, west of Auckland overlooking Kaipara Harbour.

He writes:

“Five teenagers were camping across the valley from my house and we had been watching them from time to time during the day.

“I didn’t see the accident but did see a ute on its side and that’s when I headed down there. It was a steep track apparently.

“The tracks (of the ute) went up the bank and the ute rolled. The kids on the back jumped off but the only girl (17) didn’t make it far enough and her leg was crushed under the cab.

 “I happened to be looking through the binoculars and saw what was going on, and went to get Oddball out of the shed and set off.

“I just got through the gate as the second fire engine went past so I joined in bringing up the rear.

“They turned in at the farm house just up

“They were quite surprised to see me behind them, so I politely asked if anyone needed a lift. “Excellent,” was the reply.

“When they arrived there were three of them and thousands of dollars worth of gear. But Oddball only has one spare seat, and they were all girls - but nevertheless they piled on.

“I think I heard one of them say ‘drive carefully’. ‘I always do,’ I replied, and they arrived intact, gear and all.”

Then there was a short break while they worked out a plan to get her out of there. “Do you want to put the stretcher across the back I asked?” “No it will be too rough, but it’s too far to carry her out so we will call Westpac Rescue.

“These guys must have been patrolling the beaches because within minutes of his call they where coming in looking for somewhere to land. He got pretty darn close but was only able to touch down to drop off his crew then went to find a level spot.

“At this point the paramedic needed a special splint but the Westpac didn’t have one - but quess what, there was one in the ambulance.

“No need to ask – off I went with one of the ambulance crew but as we rounded a corner we found where the chopper had gone -  he was parked on the only bit of level track there was and it was still running.

“As I pulled up I signalled I needed to go past and you can quess what he said! 

“But when the paramedic explained what was needed  he got out and came over to me and said ‘If I shut it down can you get round without hitting the blades?’

“So around we went without any problems, up to the ambulance, got the splint and away back we went.

“Everything went like clockwork and one of the police officers kindly took a picture of me with the helicopter.”

The patient was uplifted to hospital where she was found to have a leg broken in three places. She’s recovering well.