Palmerston north Rescue Helicopter Roundup

The Palmerston North based Rescue Helicopter flew 8 missions during the period as well as crew water hoist training. The missions are as follows;

Mon 21 An afternoon mission to Waitahora for a man in his 40’s injured in a quad bike accident. He was airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.

Wed 23 An evening mission to Otane for a man in his 40’s seriously injured in a single car motor vehicle accident. He sustained multiple injuries and was airlifted to Hastings Hospital.

Thu 24 An afternoon mission for the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ searching for a tramper on Mt Ruapehu after she set of her PLB (Personal locator beacon). The injured tramper was located quickly at the coordinates indicated from her PLB. She had injured her knee and was unable to walk out, and with the weather deteriorating she was airlifted to safety.

Sat 26 A late night mission to a farm near Pahiatua for a man in his 60’s injured in a quad bike accident. He sustained head and chest injuries and was airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital. The mission was completed with the aid of night vision goggles.

Wed 30 A morning mission to Mt Ruapehu for a man in his 60’s who had injured his hip tramping near Rangipo hut. He was airlifted to Taupo hospital.

Thu 31 An evening mission to Apiti for a man in his 20’s involved in a single car accident just south of the village. He sustained multiple serious injuries and was airlifted to Palmerston North hospital. The mission was completed with the aid of night vision goggles.

Sat 01 An early morning mission to Vinegar Hill Camp ground for a man in his 20’s after he sustained serious burns to his hands after falling into a fire. He was stabilised at the scene by St John Ambulance Staff before being airlifted directly to Hut Valley Hospital for specialist emergency surgery. The mission was completed with the crew using Night Vision Goggles throughout the mission.

Sun 03 A morning mission for the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ in Ramanui near the Bridge to Nowhere on the Whanganui river after a woman injured her ankle after a fall and set off her PLB. A local jet boat operator made it to the scene to assist the woman and due to the deteriorating weather, the helicopter met them on scene, where she was stabilised by the on board St John paramedic before being airlifted to Whanganui hospital.

Philips Search and Rescue Trust is a charitable organisation, operating rescue helicopters throughout the Central North Island. Philips Search and Rescue Trust relies on support from principal sponsors and community contributions. The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter service has been made possible through the generosity of community donations. Principal sponsorship is currently being sought. This crucial financial support ensures our rescue helicopters can continue to bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and trauma-trained medics directly to the patient. For further information abut PSRT visit our website http://rescue.org.nz.

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