Auckland's rescue helicopter has won a prized international award for 10,000 accident-free missions.
Malcolm Beattie, chairman of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next month, was presented with the award at a function in Salt Lake City, Utah, last night by the president of the Association of Aeromedical Services, Denise Landis.
Mr Beattie said from the United States that since its inception in 1970, the helicopter rescue service had been well served by both volunteer and fulltime crew, pilots and paramedics.
"The credit for this award must go to those people who had made it possible by their dedication and professional approach to patient care," Mr Beattie said.
The WestpacTrust rescue helicopter operates from a base in Mechanics Bay.
Its most dramatic recent rescue was of three people whose yacht was dismasted about 80 nautical miles east of Whangarei on September 26.
The helicopter hovered over the stricken yacht and dropped radios to the crew.
The yacht was rolling and pitching too much for the crew to be winched off the yacht so they jumped into the sea, to be winched on board the helicopter.
During the rescue an Air Force Orion circled overhead.
The general manager of the helicopter trust, Scotty Watson, said it was the first time the award had been won by a New Zealand aeromedical or aviation rescue group.
"We are thrilled with the award and it is payback for the dedication and commitment of everyone in the organisation," Mr Watson said.
The helicopter rescue service began in the summer of 1970-71, when the Auckland Surf Lifesaving Association launched the world's first surf helicopter rescue service with a Hiller 12E helicopter.
It had no winch, and swimmers and board riders in distress were picked up by a lifeguard hanging on a static rope beneath the helicopter before being ferried ashore.
- NZPA
Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust earns international award
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