During April, the local rescue helicopter completed 36 life-saving missions throughout the coastal Bay of Plenty region.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter (ARH) carried out 13 inter-hospital transfers, three medical events, 11 rural/farm incidents, two motor vehicle accidents, and seven miscellaneous missions, said a Phillips Search and Rescue Trust spokesperson.

The rescue helicopter was most often seen in Tauranga, completing four inter-hospital transfers.

There were three inter-hospital transfers for Whakatāne and three for Rotorua.

The rescue helicopter crew were also spotted in remote locations such as Motiti Island, Matakana Island, Hāhei and Waihau Bay, to name a few.

“The month began with the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being dispatched to Tokoroa for a male in serious condition.

“The patient was stabilised on scene for 30 minutes before being flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.”

In the early hours of the next morning, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was sent to Rotorua Hospital to assist a male suffering from a medical event.

The patient was flown to Middlemore Hospital.

On April 5, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Whakatāne Hospital for a female experiencing a medical condition.

The patient was airlifted to Waikato Hospital.

“That evening, the rescue helicopter crew were being dispatched to Tauranga Hospital for a male experiencing a serious medical event and required further treatment at another hospital.

“The patient was flown swiftly to Waikato Hospital.”

On Tuesday morning, April 8, the rescue helicopter flew to Matakana Island after being dispatched to assist a female suffering from a serious medical condition.

“The patient was treated on scene and airlifted to Tauranga Hospital.”

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter has undergone a paint job and is now in its brand colours of green, red and black. Photo / supplied

That evening, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter flew to Waihau Bay to assist a female who was in serious condition.

The patient was treated for about 20 minutes before being airlifted to Whakatāne Hospital.

The helicopter flew to Motiti Island for a female experiencing a serious medical event on April 9,

“She was stabilised on scene by the critical care flight paramedic before being flown to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.”

Next was a flight to Waihī for a patient on April 10. The patient was flown to Waikato Hospital.

On April 11, the crew helped a female who had serious injuries following a fall in Galatea.

She was stabilised for an hour and 30 minutes before being taken to Waikato Hospital for further life-saving care.

On April 13, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter flew to Te Puke to assist a female experiencing a serious medical event.

The patient was stabilised for 30 minutes before being airlifted to Waikato.

“That afternoon, the rescue helicopter was tasked to Rūātoki for a male who sustained injuries after a motor vehicle accident.

“The patient was treated on scene for approximately one hour and 30 minutes before being airlifted to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.”

On April 22, the helicopter landed at Ōpōtiki Airfield for a female who was experiencing a serious medical event.

She was airlifted to Tauranga.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter transferred a female who was suffering from a medical event from Taupō Hospital to Waikato on Thursday evening, April 24.

The next evening, a male who sustained significant injuries following a motor vehicle accident was airlifted from Rotorua Hospital to Tauranga.

“The month concluded with the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being dispatched to Katikati for a female experiencing a serious medical event.

“She was stabilised and swiftly airlifted to Tauranga Hospital to receive further medical treatment.”

The fast response of the rescue helicopter and its highly trained crew ensures the patients receive the best care as quickly as possible.

To donate to the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter visit https://give.rescue.org.nz/