The Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust FRIENDS fundraising campaign is on now.
Become a FRIEND and together we can save lives.
Over the next seven weeks representatives of the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter will be calling homes rallying for help – will you answer the call for help?
By freelance writer Sharyn Smart
Mt Taranaki claimed 22 of the 178 missions flown in 2013 with 11 requiring the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter to assist Police and Taranaki LandSAR with lost or injured climbers.
The crew’s main rescue area extended beyond the 30 minute driving time radius around New Plymouth with missions requiring patients to be flown as far away as Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Taihape and Wellington to specialist care.
The Trust’s two pilots flew missions ranging from rescuing accident casualties, assisting patients with medical issues, hospital transfers and assisting search and rescue.
- 109 Emergency pre-hospital accident
- 23 Emergency pre-hospital medical
- 20 Hospital transfers
- 26 Police, Search and Rescue
Total 178 missions for 2013 up by 17 (10%) from 161 in 2012