- 27.
Mr Chang immediately insisted on making another attempt which this time was successful - albeit his landing on the pitching and rolling deck was very heavy.
Mr Chang then went immediately to the vessel's engine room and set about giving the injured man first aid and preparing him for the helicopter lift. He was compelled to work rapidly in the tiny engine room of the wildly tossing boat because of the casualty's deteriorating condition and the helicopter's limited endurance.
After 25 minutes the casualty was transferred to the stern deck of the boat, and the helicopter crew attempted to anticipate the movement of the boat before starting the lift. But as the cable was tensioned the boat pitched violently upwards and Mr Chang, who had the casualty positioned horizontally in a stretcher in front of him, collided heavily with the overhanging roof.
He suffered facial injuries and badly bruised ribs but he continued with the lift, and he and the casualty were successfully recovered to the helicopter. On arrival in Hong Kong the casualty was immediately transferred to hospital.
Mr Chang made his descent to the fishing boat in the full knowledge of the greater danger posed by the conditions. Once on board he worked coolly and skilfully under the most difficult circumstances. When he was injured during the helicopter lift from the boat he continued undeterred with the rescue of the casualty.
Mr Chang displayed selfless bravery and a total disregard for his own safety throughout this incident. The casualty undoubtedly owes his recovery, and very probably his life, to Mr Chang's courage and determination.
Meanwhile, three other GFS officers who took part in the same rescue mission have also been informed that they will be awarded the Governor's commendations for their flying skills, courage and determination in the operation.
They are: the captain of the aircraft, Volunteer Pilot, Mr Geoffrey Wayne Smith; Pilot I, Mr James Arthur Stokes; and Aircrewman, Mr Mason Ng Wai-cheong.
In a separate airborne mission on the same day, the part played by another three crew members of a GFS fixed-wing aircraft "Kingair" in a difficult search and rescue operation following the sinking of an ocean-going vessel in atrocious weather was also duly recognised with the award of Governor's Commendation.
The same aircraft and crew also acted as 'shepherd' during the helicopter rescue earlier in the fishing boat incident.
The three officers are: Pilot I (In Command), Mr Calvin Shum Chi-wai; Senior Pilot, Mr Wayne Franklin Parsons; and Aircrewman, Mr Libby Lee Kwok-leung,
End
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