Choppers there when leisure activities 'go wrong'

RESCUE: The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was called out 132 times in 2016. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Outdoor activities around Rotorua's lakes and mountain biking tracks accounted for a big chunk of the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter's callouts last year - which were up on 2015.

In 2016 the team was called out 132 times, compared with 116 in 2015.

Barry Vincent, BayTrust Rescue Helicopter base manager, said the number of callouts had generally increased over the past few years.

"It has been a consistent year which is a national trend. [In Rotorua] there are an abundance of outdoor activities and there is a good chance they will fulfill a proportion of our responses. We have the lakes, the mountain biking tracks."

Vanessa Richmond, group manager of fundraising, marketing and communications for Philips Search & Rescue Trust, said eight of the 132 missions were hospital transfers, the rest were emergency calls.

"Our missions range from motor vehicle accidents to farm-related accidents, leisure activities on water, mountain and bush to medical emergencies in the home."

The helicopter's hospital transfers were either to Auckland or Waikato, Mr Vincent said.

"The increasing number of responses shows hopefully what a vital asset [we are]. The Rotorua community has been supportive, we're grateful for the support. Ideally we'd like people to be safe while enjoying their recreational activities, but they should know the resources are here if they require them."

The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, which covers the Taupo and Central Plateau area, flew 193 callouts in 2016 compared with 191 in 2015. Of those 34 were hospital transfers, and the rest emergency missions.

Ms Richmond said it was difficult to break down the locations because of the many tiny towns within both regions, but they covered the entire area.

She said the Taupo-based chopper saw a lot of activity on the Tongariro Crossing and in the bush and forest for leisure activities.

"Rotorua also see a lot of leisure activities go wrong."

Nat Every, Greenlea Rescue Helicopter base manager, said the 2016/2017 Christmas and New Year period felt quieter than previous years.

"I think the weather contributed to it being a bit quieter as consistent winds probably meant people were prevented from doing outdoor activities."

Their work was predominately emergency missions, he said.

"I'm really pleased we've been able to so successfully serve the community of Taupo and the Central Plateau."