Trio of serious events for rescue chopper

Photo/file

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.

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.