Mr McFall said that, four years earlier, he broke his pelvis in four places, his collarbone and shoulder in motorbike accident, and was also airlifted to hospital by a rescue helicopter.
Thirteen years on, the McFall Fuel family has paid it forward by donating a 1.8L 2010 Nissan Wingroad to the Trustpower TECT Trustpower Rescue Helicopter service.
The gift, to be used as a second rapid-response vehicle, was handed over to the helicopter service at the Tauranga Hospital hangar base yesterday.
Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter pilot Todd Dunham said the donation would make a significant difference in reducing emergency response times.
Mr Dunham said the goal was to respond within 10 minutes during the day and 20 minutes during night-time hours.
"In a trauma situation, every minute counts when it comes to the patient's chances of survival," he said.
Volunteer crewmen Leigh Sefton, who is also lifesaving and education manager for Surf Lifesaving NZ's eastern region, said travelling in his own car meant he was often caught up in traffic.
"It currently takes me about 15 minutes to get from my home in Mount Maunganui to the Tauranga Hospital hangar.
"In this second emergency-response vehicle, and travelling under lights and sirens, we are hoping we can reduce the travel time down by three to four minutes," he said.
Mr Dunham said: "This gift is another example of the amazing support we receive from our community, and a huge big thank you must go to the McFall family for their awesome support."
McFall Fuel general manager Sheryl Dawson said the McFall family was committed to supporting the TECT Rescue Helicopter cause after Bryce's accident.
Mrs Dawson said the second reason for donating the vehicle was because a lot of the company's customers and staff ended up working in remote areas.
