Two Helicopter Missions In The Middle Of A Very Successful Open Day
Several thousand people attended the 11th annual Life Flight Open Day today although some people missed out on a look
through the Westpac Rescue Helicopter after it got called away on real missions.
Life Flight responded to a car accident in the Wairarapa and a mountain bike accident in Belmont Park, Lower Hutt on the
Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
At about 1250pm the helicopter team was called to Lake Ferry Road, near Pirinoa, where a single car rolled down into a
bank. A Wairarapa man in his 80’s was seriously injured in the accident and was flown to Wellington Hospital Emergency
Department with multiple injuries.
His wife was transported by Wellington Free Ambulance to Masterton Hospital.
While the team was handing the car accident patient over at Wellington Hospital the helicopter team was called to a
mountain bike accident in Belmont Park.
The team responded directly from hospital and was able to land nearby the Wellington man in his 60’s who was injured
when he was coming down hill and was thrown over his handlebars. The man was transported to Wellington Hospital
Emergency Department with multiple injuries, none of which are believed to be life threatening.
Life Flight’s Open Day was a real success with people queuing to get in well before the doors opened at 10am. By 2pm
several thousand people had visited the air rescue centre where they were able to get close up looks at displays from
Life Flight and many of our service partners.
The Life Flight Trust is a charity providing air rescue and air ambulance services. It operates the Wellington based
Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a nationwide air ambulance service. It relies on support from the public and sponsorship
from partners such as Westpac to provide these services. Further information can be obtained from www.lifeflight.org.nz
ENDS