The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter, pictured at the scene of a road accident on State Highway 35 near Tolaga Bay. Photo / Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter
The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter, pictured at the scene of a road accident on State Highway 35 near Tolaga Bay. Photo / Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter
A State Highway 35 vehicle collision and a remote bush rescue of an injured hunter were among the recent missions completed by the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter during April.
On Friday, April 24, the helicopter was tasked to a trauma incident west of Gisborne after a hunter fell andsuffered a fractured leg.
“The helicopter hovered above the scene while the on-board critical care flight paramedic was winched down to reach the patient,” an Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust release said.
Following assessment and treatment, the patient was transported to Gisborne Hospital in a stable condition.
Trust chairman Ian Parker said the mission reflected the challenging environments in which the crew were regularly required to operate.
“Access can be extremely limited in remote parts of Tairāwhiti and this was a great example of the skill and co-ordination needed to safely reach and retrieve a patient,” he said.
Other missions involving the rescue chopper in April were –
Thursday, April 16: Flew to Waipiro Bay for a medical event. Following assessment and treatment by the on-board critical care flight paramedic, the patient was transported to Gisborne Hospital in a serious condition.
Friday, April 17: Tasked to a farm at Whakaki for a trauma incident. After being assessed and treated at the scene, the patient was transported to Hastings Hospital in a serious condition.
Tuesday, April 21: Went to Tokomaru Bay for a medical event. Following assessment and treatment, the patient was transported to Gisborne Hospital in a stable condition.
Saturday, April 25: Flew to Te Puia Springs for a medical event. The patient was assessed and treated before being transported to Gisborne Hospital in a serious condition.
Monday, April 27: Responded to a medical event in Wairoa. The patient was transported to Hastings Hospital in a serious condition. Later that afternoon, the helicopter was tasked to a motor vehicle accident near Tolaga Bay. Following assessment and treatment at the scene, the patient was transported to Gisborne Hospital in a serious condition, with assistance from Hato Hone St John, New Zealand Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Tuesday, April 28: Completed an inter-hospital transfer from Gisborne Hospital to Waikato Hospital. The patient was assessed and treated by the on-board critical care flight paramedic before being transported in a serious condition.
