The Tauranga-based Aerocool Rescue Helicopter is preparing for one of its busiest periods of the year.

Longer days, warmer weather and an influx of visitors to beaches, rivers, bush tracks and lakes mean more people exploring the region – along with a heightened need for rapid emergency response.

No matter what summer brought, from the coast to the backcountry, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter remained ready to respond when the community needed it most, a spokesperson for the rescue helicopter said.

“Each summer, the rescue helicopter team attends a broad range of missions, including water rescues, serious motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies in remote locations and urgent inter‑hospital transfers for patients requiring specialist care.

“The helicopter’s ability to reach patients quickly, deliver critical care on scene and transport them to hospital can be lifesaving when every second counts.”

A busy start to the season

As the weather warms, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter has already been called to several high‑profile and remote incidents across the Bay of Plenty.

Monday, November 24

The day began with a mission to Whakatāne Hospital for a female patient experiencing a medical event. She was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further care. That afternoon, the crew were dispatched to Ōpōtiki to assist a critically ill female patient. The on-board critical care flight paramedic treated her on scene before she was flown to Waikato Hospital.

Thursday, November 27

In the early hours of the morning, the helicopter was tasked to Matakana Island to assist a female suffering a serious medical event. She was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital for urgent treatment.

Monday, December 1

The crew responded to Ōpito Bay after a man suffered injuries from a fall. He received stabilisation on scene before being flown to Tauranga Hospital.

Tuesday, December 2

Shortly after midnight, the helicopter was sent to Te Kaha Medical Centre to assist a female patient in serious condition. She was transported to Waikato Hospital for advanced care. That evening, the helicopter was called to Tāneatua for a male injured in a motor vehicle accident. He was stabilised on scene and flown to Tauranga Hospital.

Friday, December 5

A female patient experiencing a medical event was transported from Whakatāne Hospital to Tauranga Hospital in the morning. That afternoon, the crew assisted a female who had suffered serious injuries in a fall at Matatā. She was flown to Middlemore Hospital. In the evening, the helicopter was dispatched to Te Kaha for a female in serious condition and flew her to Tauranga Hospital.

Sunday, December 7

The day began with a mission to Kawerau to assist a female who had been injured in a fall while horse riding. She was stabilised before being airlifted to Tauranga Hospital. That afternoon, the helicopter was dispatched to Rotorua Hospital to transfer a male suffering a medical event to Auckland City Hospital. The final callout of the day had the crew assisting a female patient in Waihau Bay following a vehicle crash. She was treated on scene and flown to Whakatāne Hospital.

Your support keeps the helicopter flying

You never know when you or someone you love might need the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. By donating today, you’re helping ensure the crew remain equipped and ready to respond to emergencies across the Bay of Plenty this summer.

Donate here: https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/aerocool-rescue-helicopter/donate