Hawke’s Bay rescue helicopter completes more than 300 missions in 2024

• The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service airlifted 317 patients in 2024, mainly for inter-hospital transfers.
• Search and rescue missions increased by 27%, while inter-hospital transfers dropped by 18% compared to 2023.
• The service requires $1.4 million annually, with community support crucial for its operations.

The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service has released its total mission numbers for 2024, with more than 300 patients airlifted from around Hawke’s Bay.

In total, 317 patients were airlifted by the rescue helicopter, with the majority of missions being 162 inter-hospital transfers.

However, accident-related rescues remained comparatively high for the region totalling 101 missions, with 78 medical missions, and 38 search and rescue operations.

Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust chief executive, Andy Quayle points out that while missions were slightly down on 2023 numbers, it’s not an emerging trend.

“At 379, mission numbers in 2024 were slightly down from 414 in 2023,” he said.

“The crew still averages over a mission a day providing lifesaving air medical and search and rescue services across our region.”

Quayle said 2024 saw a 27% increase in search and rescue missions and a 16% increase in medical-related missions, offset by an 18% drop in inter-hospital transfers compared to 2023.

Chief pilot for the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter, Charlie Beetham, is proud of his team’s commitment.

“The Lowe Corporation team continues to demonstrate remarkable effectiveness in helicopter rescue operations, saving numerous lives by quickly delivering specialist clinical expertise to often remote locations,” Beetham said.

A memorable rescue from 2024 for Beetham was a stingray attack near Pongaroa, where Hawke’s Bay man Eli Carrol narrowly escaped losing his life because of a stingray barb near the femoral artery in his leg.

“Our crew and medical team on board provided specialist care enroute to hospital, ensuring Eli’s condition stabilised during the flight,” he said.

“The team’s swift response and ability to remain calm under pressure were pivotal in saving his life.”

Eli Carroll was in a fight for his life when the barb pierced his leg.

Beetham says it is a privilege to be in a position to assist those in need, and while such operations can be challenging, the satisfaction of making a life-saving difference is unparalleled.

The free service Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter provides an average of 400 essential lifeline missions each year, providing critical medical assistance and rescue services for those in need, no matter how remote or rugged the terrain.

To meet its annual operating costs Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter and Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust need to raise around $1.4 million each year.

Tasked with ensuring the delivery of that funding, Quayle says the trust remains incredibly grateful for the continued community support in what has been challenging economic times.

“To be able to offer an aircraft of this calibre, with its impressive capabilities, to respond to emergency situations anywhere in our region or across New Zealand; it’s an important milestone for aviation services in Hawke’s Bay.”