Cardiac arrest survivor Lisa Mulitalo (right) with her daughter Aneta. Photo / Supplied
Cardiac arrest survivor Lisa Mulitalo (right) with her daughter Aneta. Photo / Supplied
A quick-thinking luge patroller in Queenstown has helped to save the life of a tourist going into cardiac arrest.
Lisa Mulitalo was visiting from Masterton and racing her daughter down the Skyline Gondola luge on June 14 when her heart stopped beating.
Another rider alerted first aid-trained Ed Antill tothe no longer breathing 52-year-old, and the staff member jumped into action by starting chest compressions.
With time ticking and no response, Antill dashed to get the nearby defibrillator and administered two shocks, Skyline general manager Wayne Rose said.
He also phoned emergency services and five firefighters arrived within 10 minutes. Skyline also turned the gondola up to full speed.
Rose said the response from the emergency services was outstanding and once they had stabilised her, the crews informed him Antill had saved the woman's life.
The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter airlifted her to Lakes District Hospital, before she was flown to Dunedin and then by air ambulance to Wellington — closer to home.
After 10 days in hospital, Mulitalo was discharged to continue her recovery at home.