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The head of Shortland Street's emergency department had to put acting on hold while he attended a real life emergency.
Renato Bartolomei, who plays Dr Craig Valentine on the Kiwi medical soap, missed filming several scenes when he rushed to the Whenupai airfield to help the distressed woman.
Shortland Street publicist Rachael Keereweer said Bartolomei was listening to Newstalk ZB while driving to work.
"He realised he was close so he went along to see if he could help out.
"He was definitely involved - he even missed a couple of scenes because of it. He was able to make up for it when we knew what had happened."
One of the first people on the scene, Melissa Phillips said many people thought Bartolomei was a real doctor.
"Somebody mentioned there was a doctor there and then somebody said something about a nurse."
Recognising his face but unfamiliar with Shortland Street, Mrs Phillips approached the actor. "I said, "You're not a doctor, you're a nurse', and he just said, 'Of sorts, but not really'.
"Afterwards I said to him, 'You're not a doctor or a nurse, you're an actor', and he just laughed."
