The Tauranga-based Aerocool Rescue Helicopter carried out a record-breaking 66 life-saving missions within the coastal Bay of Plenty region over the month of January.

This is the highest number of missions performed in one month by the helicopter on record, said Philips Search and Rescue Trust fundraising and marketing head Sharni Weir.

They included 31 inter-hospital transfers, seven medical events, 16 rural/farm incidents, three motor vehicle accidents, and nine miscellaneous missions.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was most often seen at Tauranga Hospital with 11 inter-hospital transfers, Whakatāne Hospital with seven, and Rotorua Hospital with five, Weir said in a statement to SunLive.

“As the community were enjoying the warmer weather outside and frequenting many summer hotspots, there was a drastic increase in remote missions almost double the usual amount.

“The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter crew were required in Matakana Island, Motiti Island, Waihau Bay, Hahei, and many other remote and challenging locations to provide life-saving care in time-critical situations.”

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was most often seen at Tauranga Hospital with 11 inter-hospital transfers, Whakatāne Hospital with seven, and Rotorua Hospital with five. Photo / ARH

Weir said the month had a busy start with the helicopter dispatched six times on New Year’s Day.

The mission details

In the early hours of January 1, the helicopter was dispatched to Hahei for a male who sustained injuries after an accident.

The patient was treated on scene by the onboard critical care flight paramedic and flown to Auckland City Hospital for further treatment, Weir said.

It was then sent to Rotorua Hospital for a male who had sustained injuries following a significant fall. The patient was flown to Waikato Hospital to receive further treatment.

That same morning, the helicopter was dispatched to Matakana Island for a male who was in critical condition.

The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital to receive further treatment.

In the afternoon, the helicopter crew were sent to Tauranga Hospital for a female who was experiencing a medical event. Weir said the patient was flown to Waikato Hospital.

The helicopter was then dispatched to Rotorua Hospital for a male who needed urgent further medical care. The patient was flown to Auckland City Hospital.

Finally, in the evening, the helicopter flew to Rotorua Hospital for a female who was in critical condition. The patient was transported to Auckland City Hospital.

In the early hours of January 3, the helicopter went to Ōropi for a female who sustained serious injuries following a significant fall. The patient was flown to Tauranga Hospital.

On January 6, the helicopter aided a female in critical condition at Tikitiki. The patient was flown to Gisborne Hospital.

The helicopter went on January 8 to Pukehina Beach to help a male having a serious medical event. The patient was treated at the scene before being taken to Waikato Hospital.

A male experiencing a serious medical event was taken to Rotorua Hospital on January 15 before being transferred to Waikato.

Then the helicopter flew to Motiti Island for a male having a serious medical event, who was flown to Tauranga.

On January 17, the helicopter attended a vehicle accident in the Kaimais. A male in critical condition was stabilised and flown to Waikato Hospital.

The crew flew on January 24 to the Karangahake Gorge and spent an hour helping a female in critical condition. The patient was airlifted to Waikato Hospital.

The helicopter was sent to Taupō Hospital on January 31 for a male experiencing a medical event who was flown to Waikato.

The helicopter returned to Taupō that afternoon for a male having a serious medical event and flew back to Waikato Hospital.

“The fast response of the rescue helicopter and its highly trained crew ensures the patients receive the best care as quickly as possible. Help us gear up.”

Donate towards essential life-saving equipment for your Aerocool Rescue Helicopter today at https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/aerocool-rescue-helicopter/donate