The Tauranga-based Aerocool Rescue Helicopter has completed 38 life-saving missions within the Coastal Bay of Plenty region over the month of July.

These missions included 16 inter-hospital transfers, four medical events, one rescue, six rural/farm incidents, five motor vehicle accident, and six miscellaneous missions.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was most often seen in Tauranga with seven inter-hospital transfers, Whakatāne with three inter-hospital transfers, Rotorua with three inter-hospital transfers, says a statement from the Philips Rescue Helicopter Trust.

"In addition, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter crew were required in Matakana Island, Mayor Island, Coromandel and many other remote and challenging locations to provide life-saving care in time critical situations," the statement reads.

The missions

The month began with the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being dispatched to Mauao Sumit for a male in his 60s who was experiencing a medical event.

The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

Aerocool Rescue Helicopter on Mauao. Photo: Supplied.

On Monday morning, July 1, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Opotiki for a male in his 70s who was experiencing a medical event. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

On Thursday morning, July 4th, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Tokoroa Hospital for a young female who sustained fracture injuries from a 1 metre fall. The patient was transported to Rotorua Hospital for further treatment.

In the early hours of Friday morning, July 5, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Tauranga Hospital for a male in his teens who sustained serious injuries after being involved in a motorbike accident. The patient was transported to Middlemore Hospital for further treatment.

The following evening, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Rotorua Hospital for a male who was experiencing seizures. The patient was transported to Starship Hospital for further treatment.

In the early hours of Friday morning, July 12, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Matakana Island for a male in his 90s who was experiencing a medical event. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

On Saturday evening, July 13, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Maraetotara for a male in his 40s sustained chest injuries after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

The following evening, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Pongakawa for a male in his teens who sustained fracture injuries from a motocross bike related incident. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

On Thursday afternoon, July 18, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Rotoma for a male in his 50s who sustained injuries from a fall while mountain biking. The patient was transported to Whakatane Hospital for further treatment.

Later that evening, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Whangamata for a male in his 90s who was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained multiple injuries. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

On Saturday evening, July 20, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Tauranga Hospital for an infant who was experiencing a serious medical condition. The patient was swiftly flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

On Thursday evening, July 25, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Tahawai for a male in 30s who sustained injuries after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. 

The next afternoon, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Te Kaha Medical Centre for a male in his 70s who was suffering from a serious medical event. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

On Saturday morning, July 27, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Coromandel for a male in his 50s who sustained serious injuries after a farm related incident. The patient was transported to Auckland City Hospital for further treatment.

The month ended with the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being dispatched to Te Puna for a female in her 20s who sustained injuries after a fall.

Due to the remote location, the patient required extraction by winch.

The Critical Care Flight Paramedic was winched down to the patient where they began treatment and then the patient and CCFP were both extracted via winch. The patient was then transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

The fast response of the rescue helicopter and its highly trained crew ensures the patients receive the best care as quickly as possible.

"These life-saving missions happen every day and it’s what happened next that makes the difference… you make that difference," says an Aerocool Rescue Helicopter spokesperson.

Donate to Aerocool Rescue Helicopter at https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/aerocool-rescue-helicopter/donate