Dump truck, helicopters to the rescue of West Coasters cut off by bridge collapse

April 6, 2019

Dump trucks and helicopters are now regular forms of transport near Franz Josef. (Source: Other)

West Coasters cut off by the collapse of the Waiho River Bridge in last week's flood have been shown community spirit by a local dump truck driver and helicopter operators who've have been providing transport across the river.

It'll take at least another week for the bridge connecting the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef communities to be rebuilt. 

Tim Gibb, who's described by locals as a West Coast entrepreneur, has taken it upon himself to ferry cars across the Waiho River on the back of a dump truck.

Locals say Mr Gibb is charging $100 for the service, but Seven Sharp has been unable to reach him, seemingly because he's driving the truck.

Meanwhile, a free cross-river helicopter service is bound to make school children around the country jealous.

A group of young Franz Josef students live on the south side of the Waiho River, but class is on the northern side.

With the bridge wiped out, the good chaps at Vantage Helicopters and others have been flying in, picking up children and dropping them at school for free.

"The helicopters have to head into town in the morning and the kids need a ride," said Vantage Helicopters pilot Toby.

"Someone has to do it. But yeah, everyone is pulling their weight around here to help everyone on this side of the river that's still affected by the flood."

For the Williams family on the south bank of the Waiho, the daily adventure begins at about 7.45am, driving from their farm to the local helipad.

Toby the pilot weighs little passengers Harry and his sister, to make sure he's not overloaded, then helps them into the chopper.

With seatbelts on, it's "bye Mum" from Harry, and the helicopter lifts off, flies over the Waiho River and three minutes later lands at Franz Josef.

The young passengers are picked up by the teacher and head to Franz Josef primary school  - the end of yet another epic quest, which they do all over again when school's done for the day.

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