Helicopter vital to district

More lives would be lost on the Forgotten Highway if it wasn't for the service of the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter.

The highway is unforgiving to motorists but it's not only those who travel on the road who find themselves in a tricky situation.

Tahora resident Shirley Fletcher was a patient only seven months ago and says without the helicopter, patients could be waiting for hours before an ambulance arrived.

Shirley was at home gardening when her back seized causing her extreme pain. She was paralysed from the waist down  but with the help of her husband Rob, she was able to make it inside the house.

This was the second time it had happened at their Tahora home. However, the first time, an ambulance was sent out.

The helicopter is now used for call outs due to the duration of time it takes for an ambulance to reach the district. Shirley says if it had been a severe car accident, waiting five hours could have resulted in fatalities.

``I wasn't going anywhere in an ambulance the third time. The helicopter only took around 20 minutes to get here,'' she says.

Shirley believes the ambulance workers do an outstanding job, however, sending an ambulance out to Tahora is ``ridiculous''.

Shirley can not speak more highly of the rescue helicopter team.

``They were exceptional. They are vital to this district. They are all so helpful and lovely  and deserve all the help they get,'' she says.

The car park at their accommodation business has become the local landing spot for any helicopter assisted rescues in the area.

The trust is currently holding their annual appeal over the next few weeks and may be phoning your home for a donation.

The trust will also be holding an open day at the helicopter hangar at Taranaki Base Hospital this Sunday 11am-3pm with emergency services demos, displays, kids' entertainment and food stalls.

Entry is by gold coin donation.