Responding to critical medical events, motor vehicle accidents, water-related incidents, and emergencies in remote areas, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter is demonstrating its invaluable role across Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty in ensuring the safety of residents and holidaymakers during this busy time of year.

Over the festive season, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter has responded to a total of 35 missions in and around the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel regions.

Christmas Eve saw the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being called to Motiti Island.

A male in his 60s had been fishing on rocks when he was swept off by a wave and sustained multiple injuries. The patient was swiftly airlifted to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

On December 26, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to transport a man in his 50s who had sustained serious injuries after being dumped by a wave onto his surfboard.

The patient was flown from Tauranga Hospital to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.     

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. Photo: Supplied.

On December 30, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter responded to a serious motor vehicle accident in Pukehina, involving a woman in her 20s.

She sustained serious injuries following a head-on collision and was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

Later that night, another mission involved a woman in her 20s who had driven down a rocky cliff and landed in a creek. The patient was airlifted from Te Puru to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

New Year’s Day saw the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being called to Taneatua for a female in her 30s who had been involved in a motor accident.

The patient had sustained multiple trauma injuries and was flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

On January 3, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Waihi beach to provide immediate medical assistance to a teenage boy who had collapsed after exiting the water.

The patient was flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. Photo: Supplied.

On Monday afternoon, January 8, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to transport a male in his 50s from Rotorua Hospital.

The patient had fallen off a deck and sustained serious injuries and was flown to Middlemore Hospital for further treatment.

Most recently on Sunday night, January 14, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Waioeka Gorge to a motor vehicle accident involving a male in his 30s and a baby.

The vehicle had veered off the road and down an embankment. As a result, both the male and the baby sustained moderate injuries. Both patients were airlifted to Whakatane Hospital for further treatment.

These recent missions showcase the vital role played by the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter in providing crucial medical assistance to those in need, especially within this busy holiday period.