Chopper called after drug overdoses

AIR SUPPORT: A rescue helicopter was called to a Mangawhai New Year's festival after reports of two people in critical condition as a result of drug overdoses. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

Emergency service workers have commended the organisers of a New Year's festival for their first aid planning after a rescue helicopter was called for two drug overdose cases.

The Northland Electricity rescue helicopter was called to Mangawhai music festival Northern Bass at 11.15pm on Tuesday after there were reports of two people in critical condition as a result of drug overdoses.

A first aid crew at the scene hired by the event organisers dealt with the patients initially before calling the rescue chopper.

Intensive care paramedic Scott Mears said by the time the helicopter arrived the people - both in their 20s - were no longer in critical condition.

Instead, rescue helicopter medics took another man, also in his 20s, to Whangarei Hospital with a dislocated shoulder.

Mr Mears and St John Ambulance acting Northern District operations manager Ben Lockie commended the organisers of the event for their first aid planning efforts, which included hiring private firm EMT Medical to co-ordinate first aid on the ground at the event.

"We've been liaising with them for over a month and they are very well organised," Mr Lockie said.

The event has a strict no drugs and controlled alcohol policy, with a bag search at the front entrance.

Northern Bass production manager Etienne Marais said about 5500 to 6000 people attended on the Tuesday of the two-night event, and only a small handful of those "overdid it".

"Otherwise the vibe in the crowd, the mood and the temperament were excellent."

St John staff had visited the Settlement Rd site prior to the event to look at potential helicopter landing sites just in case.

The event's alcohol management plan included measures such as a number of food stalls and assessing the intoxication levels of punters and changing the number of drinks served to each person.