St John received notification of a volcanic eruption on White Island at approximately 2:30 pm on 9 December 2019.
St John is working with the Royal New Zealand Coast Guard, Ambulance Air Operators and District Health Boards, in a coordinated response to the eruption.
Ambulance officers from Whakatane are traveling to White Island via Coast Guard and we have dispatched seven helicopters to the island with paramedics on board. Also on board one helicopter is St John Medical Director, Dr Tony Smith, who will establish a triage unit on the island.
St John believes up to 20 people on the island require medical treatment.
The situation is still developing, and we will keep you informed as more information comes to hand.