Trio of serious events for rescue chopper

Three people were flown to hospital after each suffering serious medical events in separate incidents yesterday.

The Tauranga-based Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was was dispatched to Kawerau at 1pm where a 58-year-old female had a serious medical event that required immediate hospital care. St John paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

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When lifting off from Waikato Hospital at 3:20pm, the helicopter was diverted to Kawhia where a 48-year-old fisherman had a serious medical event requiring immediate care.

Upon returning to Tauranga at 5:30pm, the helicopter was dispatched to Whakatane Hospital with a hospital Intensive Care Unit team to retrieve an 18-year-old with a serious medical condition back to Tauranga Hospital.

The helicopter was tasked to all three jobs due to the seriousness of the medical conditions and distance to the required hospitals.