Winter Roundup from The Greenlea Helicopter

Winter roundup from the Greenlea Helicopter

Starting from the 13th of Aug:

We were involved in the initial stages assisting police with the search for the missing parties around tree trunk gorge road off the desert road. We flew search teams in, conducted an aerial search in day light, and again using night vision goggles and an infrared IR camera to look for heat sources.

Over the next few days the helicopter was again used to assist police divers into some remote waterways and then later recover them following their river searches.

21 August: an injured hiker was recovered from near the waihohonu hut (eastern tongaririo national park) and flown to Taupo hospital with spinal injuries - See photo of heli with the orange headed sasquash walking around the nose.

24 August: A youngster with a suspected serious spinal injuries was flown from the eastern side of Ruapehu to Starship hospital. See photo of heli on roof of auckland hospital with the giant hypodermic needle in the background.

Later on the 24th a lake search was conducted using night vision, and a missing boat was located from the air. Taupo coastguard were then directed to the location and assisted with the recovery of the occupant.

We also assisted with several Hospital and med centre transfers. The Photo of the SW slopes of Mt Ngauruhoe, with the cloud around it was taken on Sunday the 28th.

25th: Tasked by the RCCNZ to track an active PLB in the Urewera ranges. The party in question was found rather quickly, and assisted after a bief search.

26/27: overnight: Called by national park police to assist with the search and recover of a lost climber who had separated from his companions and descended the wrong side of the mountain. Eventually becoming immobilised due darkness and being bluffed out by cliffs. After two aborted attempts to assist due poor weather and finally being grounded as an incoming northerly front approached. The individual was fortunate that clearer weather to the south allowed the Palmerston Rescue helicopter a shot at reaching him just on day break sunday morning.

ENDS

Philips Search and Rescue Trust (PSRT) is a charitable organisation, operating rescue helicopters throughout the Central North Island. Philips Search and Rescue Trust relies on support from principal sponsors and community donations. Special thanks to Taupo’s principal sponsor, Greenlea. This crucial financial support ensures our rescue helicopters can continue to bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and trauma-trained medics directly to the patient. For further information about PSRT visit our website rescue.org.nz

Web rescue.org.nz

Facebook facebook.com/rescuehelicoptertrust

Twitter twitter.com/Rescue_PSRT

Organisation Background:

Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for the North Island’s largest pool of community helicopters. PSRT was founded in 1985 after an endowment by Philips New Zealand Limited to mark a light aircraft accident near Turangi in which two Philips personnel lost their lives.

Encompassing six rescue helicopters and two fixed-wing planes, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis. The rapid response is powered by an expert crew of pilots, paramedics, flight nurses, Police and volunteer crewmen. In a life and death situation it is this speed and agility that can make all the difference, with patients able to receive medical treatment whilst en route to a medical facility.

Philips Search & Rescue Trust operates:

Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Waikato King Country

Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter, Bay of Plenty

BayTrust Rescue Helicopter, Rotorua - Bay of Plenty

Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, Taupo - Central Plateau

Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter, Manawatu - Whanganui

Westpac Air Ambulance (Fixed wing), Nationwide

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