The helicopter pilot who flew the chopper that pulled five people out of the water off North Cape says they were the most challenging rescues of his 30-year career.
Five people of the 10 on board the fishing charter vessel Enchanter died when it capsized on Sunday.
The other five were rescued that night by the Northland Emergency Services helicopter.
Its pilot, Lance Donnelly told Morning Report he took three people to an ambulance before returning and winching a further two survivors onto the helicopter.
