The Hindu : National : IAF rescues diplomat, family

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Friday, Jun 17, 2005

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National

IAF rescues diplomat, family

DHARAMSHALA: IAF helicopters and special rescue teams on Thursday evacuated a Canadian diplomat, Andrew Norfolk, his injured wife and their three children trapped in snow in the Dhauladhar ranges, north of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. A Cheetah helicopter, piloted by Air Commodore Raj Assey, had to winch up the diplomat's wife, Ruth, who had sustained head and spinal injuries in a fall while trekking in snowy ranges over 4,300 metres high.

Ms. Ruth, after preliminary treatment at the Pathankot air base, was later flown to the Command hospital near Chandigarh for treatment, where she was stated to be out of danger, according to IAF spokesman Wing Commander Sanjeev Sharma. The diplomat and three children, Alexander, Daniel and Sebastain, who were trapped with their mother near the 4,350 metre high Indrahar pass, were flown by helicopters to the Yol Army camp near Dharamshala from where they later drove to Chandigarh.The rescue attempt was launched on Wednesdayafter an SOS was received from the Canadian High Commission here. — PTI

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