The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter completed 11 missions in the past fortnight.
The rescues included an airlift of two boys who got into trouble at Tangimoana Beach and a teenager in a riding accident at Taihape.
On January 24 the crew flew to Moawhango after a motorcyclist was injured after his bike left the road. He was airlifted to Hastings Hospital. Later that evening the helicopter was dispatched to Levin for an elderly man suffering a serious medical condition and in need of specialist surgery. He was flown directly to Wellington Hospital, arriving in a critical condition. The mission was completed well after midnight with the crew using night vision goggles.
On January 25 an afternoon mission to Tangimoana was needed after two boys were in distress while swimming at the beach. They were recovered on shore by the time the helicopter arrived and the onboard St John paramedic treated the pair. They were airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.
Later that evening the helicopter was sent to a property near Papatawa, north of Woodville, after a man was injured in a quad bike accident. He was airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.
On January 30 the helicopter flew to Waiouru for a man in his 80s with a medical emergency. He was airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.
On January 31 a midday mission to Taihape was required for a teenage girl injured in a fall from her horse while riding at an event. She was stabilised by St John paramedics before being airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.
On January 31 the crew flew to Waiouru in the evening for a man in his 60s with a medical emergency. Due to bad weather the helicopter met the road ambulance out of Waiouru and transferred to the helicopter. He was airlifted to Wanganui Hospital.
Last Wednesday an afternoon mission to Raumati South for a man in his 70s with a medical emergency was required. He was located in the sand dunes and extracted to a waiting road ambulance for further treatment. While returning from the mission the helicopter was tasked to Porangahau for a man in his 50s with a medical emergency. He was stabilised by St John paramedics before being airlifted to Hastings Hospital.
On Friday the crew flew to Raetihi for a woman in her 70s with a medical emergency. She was airlifted to Wanganui Hospital. On Sunday a hunter needed picking up from Kelly Knight hut in the Ruahine Ranges after he was injured after slipping crossing a stream, injuring his knee. He was airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.