By Charlotte Tonkin
The sole survivor of the Anzac day Iroquois" crash has flow again - and by helicopter.
Sgt Stevin Creeggan was airlifted from Wellington Hospital to Palmerston North to be closer to his family while he recovers.
The machine that flew him was the very same one that came to his aid 12 days ago - the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Sgt Creeggan laughed with one of his rescuers as they posed for farewell photos at Wellington Hospital.
He was the only crew member to survive the Anzac Day crash, which killed three of his mates.
"He said a few things that shocked me," says Dave Greenburg, Lifelight Operations manager. "Not about the crash, but just his sense of humour has been great."
Laughter was replaced with tears when Sgt Creeggan spoke of seeing his Air Force colleagues again, and the help he received from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter team.
Sgt Creeggan's state is vastly improved from when he was rescued from the crash site 12 days ago.
Mr Greenberg operated the winch which brought him to safety, in his darkest hour.
He has visited Sgt Creeggan almost every day, and was part of the team which flew him to Palmerston North.
"It's really rare intentionally you keep separate, because it's too emotional if you took it all onboard," says Mr Greenburg. "We bonded on a piece of wire 40 feet apart, and it's a bond that will last a long time."
Sgt Creeggan suffered extensive spine, chest and leg injuries and has undergone surgery twice.
The man who's passion is flying was loaded into the machine which saved his life for a second time, but this time it wasn't a rescue - it was another step towards recovery.
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