Ten missions for rescue helicopter

Photo/File

THE Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter Service, which covers the Whanganui region, flew 10 missions in the week to November 28.

They included picking up a teenage girl with burns from a house fire and several trips to Raetihi for medical emergencies.

On November 15 the helicopter undertook an afternoon mission for a woman in her 30s involved in a car accident near Waiouru.

Because of bad weather the helicopter met the ambulance in Ohingaiti and she was airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.

On November 19 the helicopter was sent to the Manawatu Gorge walking track after a man in his 40s had broken his ankle. The location meant a paramedic was hoisted to the patient to stabilise him before hoisting them both into the helicopter. He was then airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital in a stable condition.

On November 21 the rescue service was sent to pick up a teenage girl with burns from a fire in Taihape. Due to bad weather the helicopter met the ambulance in Ohingaiti and she was then airlifted to Palmerston North hospital.

Immediately after the helicopter was sent to Tangimoana for a man in his 60s with a medical emergency. He was airlifted to Palmerston North.

On November 23 a Raetihi man in his 60s with a medical emergency was airlifted to Whanganui Hospital.

On November 24 the helicopter went to the Tararua Ranges near Linton for an injured mountain biker. The man in his 30s suffered chest injuries.

Paramedics were already on the scene and stabilised and prepared the injured man for transport. He was loaded into the helicopter and airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.

On Wednesday a Raetihi man in his 70s with a medical emergency was picked up and airlifted to Whanganui Hospital. Later that evening the helicopter was tasked with extracting an injured tramper in the Ruahine Ranges near Rangiwahia. The teenage male suffered a knee injury and because of his location he needed to be hoisted from the bush. He was then airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.

On Thursday a Raetihi woman in her 70s needed help because of a medical emergency and was airlifted to Whanganui Hospital.

On Friday the rescue helicopter undertook an afternoon mission to Dannevirke for a man in his 80s with a medical emergency. He was airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital.