20 OCTOBER 2006
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 119

seaman’s injuries and the inability to rescue him by land,
Squadron Leader Sexton decided to make a further rescue
attempt at night. Despite having to negotiate darkness, low
cloud and torrential rain, which forced him to turn back a
number of times, he managed to reach the rescue party on
the ground at a site beneath 65 metre trees on a plateau 200
metres above the coast.

After the crew had commenced winching a crewman down
through a small clearing in the forest canopy, visibility
reduced markedly when the aircraft rotors sucked down the
thin layer of cloud from above. This meant that the crew
could see neither the ground, nor the crewman on the wire;
only the treetops. Despite only being able to determine the
situation on the ground through radio transmissions, which
were relayed by the co-pilot through HMAS Tarakan
anchored nearby, Squadron Leader Sexton calmly directed
the crew during the recovery. While undertaking the
recovery, he maintained the helicopter in a steady hover
75 metres above the rescue site, despite having very poor
visual references, low cloud and rain, and while using night
vision equipment. During the course of this hazardous
rescue, Squadron Leader Sexton also capably handled the
loss of communications with the winch operator on two
occasions.

In the face of the most trying conditions, and having
acknowledged the risk that was required to effect the rescue,
Squadron Leader Sexton then managed that risk most
professionally. His cool demeanour throughout the
operation, despite the risk to himself and his crew, was
pivotal to the success of his crew in recovering the injured
seaman to the aircraft and subsequently to a medical facility.

Throughout this rescue mission, Squadron Leader Sexton
demonstrated bravery as well as flying skills and leadership
of the highest order.

PUBLISHED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
PRINTED BY WICKLIFFE LIMITED

3537

Joan Diane TAYLOR
Citation
On Saturday 12 November 2005 at 9.40 p.m., an 18-year-old
woman was walking along a Nelson Street when she was
dragged into a nearby vehicle by an offender. Her screams
alerted Joan Diane Taylor, aged 62, and her husband, who
were inside their house nearby. Mrs Taylor approached the
car and demanded that the offender let the women go. She
was not put off by an explanation that the woman was
injured and told the offender that the police and ambulance
had been called. She then repeated her demand that the
offender let the woman go.

This distracted the offender and his victim was able to run
from the car into the Taylor’s house, followed by Mr Taylor.
As Mrs Taylor turned to follow them she was attacked by
the offender, who heard her telling her husband the licence
plate number of his car, so as to pass it on to the police. Mrs
Taylor was struck on the back of the head, the blow causing
her to collapse onto her driveway. As she did so, she hit her
head against the ground, splitting her head open.

The offender left the area on foot but was later apprehended
when he returned to collect his car. He has since been
sentenced to four years and five months’ imprisonment for
abduction, assault with intent to commit sexual violation and
injuring with intent. Found in his car at the time of the
incident were a pair of handcuffs, a balaclava and a length
of rope.

Mrs Taylor’s bravery and persistence probably saved the
young woman from serious injury and possibly death at the
hands of her attacker.

Dated this 14th day of October 2006.
DIANE MORCOM, Clerk of the Executive Council.
vr7190

ISSN 0111-5650

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