Long-time supporter falls victim to nature of rescue chopper work

Twenty-two aircraft were on the ground when the Te Araroa aerodrome was officially opened on Sunday in what has been described as an “awesome” day for the East Coast. More than 100 people attended the opening ceremonies. Representatives of landowners Te Rimu Trust said they were “excited about the energy” the ‘drome’ brings to the region. “It opens a new gateway.”

An East Coast resident was supposed to arrive in style to Sunday’s opening of the Te Araroa Aerodrome but saving a life got in the way.

Long-time Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust (EHRT) supporter Pia Sanson was to be picked up from Whakarua Park, near her Ruatōria home, and flown to the opening celebration where the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team was to give a winch demonstration.

“But just as they were to leave from the Gisborne hangar they were dispatched to transfer a patient in serious condition to Waikato Hospital,” EHRT chair Patrick Willock said.

“It was disappointing for all of us but but that’s the nature of rescue helicopter work.

“When the call comes, they have to go.”

Once the festivities were over, Mr Willock and trust treasurer Ian Parker popped in to see Mrs Sanson at home to express their thanks for her support.

Mrs Sanson has made regular donations since 2006 when her son was involved in a Christmas Eve car crash on the winding, gravel Whareponga Road.

“They’d had a head-on with another car coming around the corner and though we’d been notified there’d been an accident, with no cellphone coverage we had no idea what was happening,” she said.

“It wasn’t until they’d been picked up and the ambulance got down to the main road that they were able to call us so, like any parents, we were really worried.”

Though her son’s arm was badly broken in two places, his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

“But they didn’t want him to suffer all the pain and possibly more damage by taking him by road to Gisborne Hospital.

“We were so relieved to hear the rescue helicopter was on its way.”

Mrs Sanson’s support of the rescue helicopter trust dates back to when she worked for the Ruatōria branch of Westpac Bank and got involved in its fundraising for Choppa Month.

After her son’s accident she began donations of her own, giving $10 a fortnight.

In 2022 — seven years after the bank closed its Ruatōria branch — she and fellow former Westpac employee Katherine Callaghan organised a big event that raised $25,000 for the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust.

“We always wish we could do more,” she said. “But we’re just so grateful for the service the helicopter team provides, we do what we can.”

Mr Willock said there was huge value in her regular donation.

“That regular contribution comes out of Pia’s own pocket and we’re mindful of the commitment that takes,” he said.

“Support from our community is what helps keep the helicopter in the air, enabling the team to do their incredible life-saving work.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Sanson admits to feeling some relief after her flight was diverted, having been a bit nervous about her first flight in a helicopter.

“The invitation was a bit of a shock but everybody was telling me to go for it,” she says.

“The reality is that other people go in it all the time . . . .and if I could have encouraged one more person to donate a little bit, then it would have been worth it.”