New Zealand orders 143 square yards of skin from America – enough to completely cover 60 people – for volcano patients
- New Zealand has ordered 1.2 million square cm (143 square yards) of skin
- The order, from America, is enough to completely cover about 60 people
- Surgeons ‘urgently need more skin grafts’ in the wake of Monday’s eruption
- 29 victims admitted to burns units, some with burns on 95% of their bodies
New Zealand has ordered 143 square yards (1.2 million sq cm) of skin from America to help victims of the volcano eruption on White Island.
A total of 29 patients have been admitted to hospital with burns in the wake of Monday’s deadly eruption, and doctors say they urgently need more skin grafts.
Faced with an unprecedented number of burn victims and the unusual nature of the burns from toxic volcanic gases, surgeons are having to work quicker than usual.
It is predicted surgeons have 500 hours of operations to perform on patients in the days and months ahead of them.
29 patients have been admitted to hospital with burns in the wake of Monday’s deadly eruption, and doctors say they urgently need more skin grafts. Pictured: Smoke rises into the air after the explosion on Monday
Officials say 34 people were rescued from White Island via helicopters and admitted to hospitals for their injuries. Of the 29 with burn injuries, 27 have burns over at least 30 per cent of their bodies.
22 of the victims had inhalation burns after breathing in sulphur dioxide and volcanic ash that have affected their lungs, and have been left requiring airway support.
Several of the patients have burns affecting up to 95 per cent of their bodies.
The eruption of the volcano on White Island, New Zealand. Faced with an unprecedented number of burn victims and the unusual nature of the burns from toxic volcanic gases, surgeons are having to work quicker than usual to treat burn victims
Smoke billows from the volcano on White Island following Monday’s devastating eruption. Clinical director at Middlemore Hospital Dr Peter Watson said 19,000 sq inch (1.2 million sq cm) of skin would be flown in from America to treat the victims, adding that surgeons ‘urgently need more skin grafts’
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a number of the victims are in a ‘critical condition’ in hospital.
Clinical director at Middlemore Hospital Dr Peter Watson said 19,000 sq ins (1.2 million sq cm) of skin – enough to completely cover about 60 people – would be flown in from America to treat the victims, adding that surgeons ‘urgently need more skin grafts’.
Some of the Australian nationals who suffered burn injuries will be transferred from New Zealand back to their home country by an Australian Defence Force aircraft.
The confirmed death toll in the wake of the incident on White Island on Monday has risen to six.
Lawyer Gavin Dallow, 53, his wife Lisa Hosking (both right) 48, and her daughter Zoe Hosking (left) 15, were all on a cruise holiday which included an optional walking tour of the volcano when it erupted. Lisa has been found alive but critically injured, while Gavin and Zoe both died
Julie Richards, 47, and her daughter Jessica, 20, from Brisbane are mong the dead
The sixth person succumbed to their injuries at a hospital on Tuesday, according to New Zealand police. Eight people remain missing and are presumed dead.
Among those confirmed dead are Australian schoolgirl Zoe Hosking, 15, and her stepfather Gavin Dallow, 53, and Julie Richards, 47, and her daughter Jessica, 20, from Brisbane.
Some 47 tourists – from New Zealand and overseas – were on or around the crater, located off the coast of the North Island, at the time of the blast.