Major missions keep Gisborne rescue chopper crew busy

The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter completed several missions over the past two weeks, including two inter-hospital transfers to Tauranga and Wellington and a car accident at Tauwhareparae (pictured).

The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter has completed a series of significant missions over the past two weeks, including inter-hospital transfers and responses to trauma events.

The fortnight began on November 3 at 1pm when the team was dispatched to Whakatāne for an inter-hospital transfer to Tauranga Hospital.

After assessment and treatment by the onboard critical care flight paramedic, the patient was flown in serious condition to Tauranga for further care.

A second inter-hospital transfer followed on November 9 at 10.30am. The helicopter was called to Gisborne Hospital to transport a patient to Wellington Hospital after a medical event.

The patient was assessed, treated and flown in serious condition to Wellington for specialist care.

The next day, November 10 at 9am, the team responded to a motor vehicle accident at Tauwhareparae.

After assessing and treating the patient at the scene, they were winched into the helicopter and flown in serious condition to Gisborne Hospital, accompanied by the critical care flight paramedic.

Later that afternoon, at 1pm, the helicopter was again dispatched to Gisborne Hospital for a second inter-hospital transfer to Wellington following a medical event.

After further treatment, the patient was flown in serious condition to Wellington.

The trust was grateful to the Wellington Westpac Rescue Helicopter, which met the Eastland crew in Dannevirke to help in completing the transfer.