Rescue helicopter kept busy

SUPPLIED

It's been a busy few days for the Taupo-based Greenlea Rescue Helicopter.

On Friday the helicopter was dispatched to a job where a personal locator beacon had been set off.

It was on a part of the Tongariro Crossing where there was no cell phone coverage. Shortly after setting off the beacon and after walking some distance, one of the members of the party was able to make telephone communication with the emergency services.

However it is indicative of the fact that more and more people are carrying and using personal locating beacon than ever before, a helicopter spokesperson said.

A woman was flown to Rotorua Hospital with a fractured ankle.

On Saturday afternoon the helicopter was called to the Pureora Forest.

A woman cycling the Timber Trail with a group fell from her bike about 10km from the end of the trail.

A group unassociated with the mountain bikers discovered them and aided them by setting off their personal locator beacon. The beacon signal was picked up by the RCCNZ and the helicopter was tasked to assist.

The beacon owners then helped transport the patient on their quadbike to the helicopter, which was fortunate to be able to land nearby at the only clearing for many kilometres.

The woman in her 50s was flown to Waikato Hospital with spinal injuries.

Yesterday afternoon the helicopter was called to the Central Plateau to transport a man with a serious medical condition to Waikato Hospital.