Media release
February 3, 2011

Busy First Season for Coromandel Based Rescue Helicopter

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter stationed at Whitianga to serve the busy Thames/Coromandel region over the holiday period flew 66 missions, 26 more than for the corresponding period last year.

This is the first time the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) that runs the service has based a helicopter at Whitianga, after it commissioned a second machine in August last year.

ARHT Chief Executive Bob Parkinson says having the helicopter close by rather than having to fly from the Auckland base at Mechanics Bay meant those needing emergency medical treatment got it quicker than ever.

“Having a chopper based at Whitianga definitely cut down response times and meant our Auckland-based machine was free to deal with missions up here. It was great to become part of the Coromandel community and be able to help out at such a busy time,” he says.

Helicopter Manager Greg Brownson, who was part of the first crew based at Whitianga from Boxing Day, says that emergency services including police, ambulance, fire, search and rescue and surf lifesaving worked extremely well together.

“We’ve got a great working relationship going down there and we’re definitely considering it for next year if we can once again secure sponsorship. We had so many positive comments from the community, and helping them is exactly the reason they’re there, he says.

As for getting to call outs quicker, Westpac Rescue Helicopter was able to immediately transport two seriously injured people from a head on collision just outside Whitianga on January 24 to Auckland Hospital, and get to Hahei when roads were closed due to flooding at Anniversary Weekend.

The Coromandel service was only possible as a result of generous support from local businesses, which covered the $50,000 cost and helped out with accommodation and the other needs of the crew. Sponsors included Valley Toyota, Watts and Hughes Construction, Troy Wheeler Contracting, Pro Floors, Coromandel Senior Settlement Trust and Architectural Profiles Ltd.

If sponsorship can be secured for the next Christmas holiday period Auckland Rescue Helicopter Service would like to provide the service again, and is looking at the possibility of also spending some long weekends in the Thames/Coromandel region, says Bob Parkinson.

ENDS

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