The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter has accomplished another successful year, completing a total of 519 missions in 2023.

Among these missions, there were over 200 inter-hospital transfers, ensuring that patients received the medical attention they required in a timely manner.

The rescue helicopter also played a crucial role in over 100 rural or remote missions, 70 medical events, 37 motor vehicle accidents, 3 rescues, and 67 other missions.

December proved to be the busiest month, with a total of 55 missions taking place.

Tauranga Hospital topped the list with the most inter-hospital transfers, with 103 missions taking place.

Following behind was Whakatane Hospital with 70 missions, and Rotorua Hospital had 34 missions.

Aerocool Rescue Helicopter on Matakana Island. Photo supplied.

Notably, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter visited several locations frequently throughout the year, including Waihi with 27 missions, Te Kaha with 21 missions, Matakana Island with 14 missions and Opotiki with 11 missions.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter played a critical role in providing emergency medical assistance to rural and remote areas by responding to a total of 110 incidents last year.

These missions predominantly involved mountain biking or motocross accidents.

Among these missions, one involved a male in his 30s who had attempted a motorbike jump and had fallen from a significant height.

The patient sustained severe head injuries and was flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter played a crucial role in three rescue missions last year, with one of these missions involving the helicopter being dispatched to the Kaimais to aid a woman in her 60s who had unfortunately slipped and fallen while hiking.

Thankfully, the woman was accompanied by a tramping group who activated their personal locator beacon.

The crew located the tramping party and winched the injured tramper out, swiftly transporting her to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter also responded to 37 motor vehicle accidents throughout the year, with the month of February showing the highest number of incidents.

IIX Aerocool. Photo suppleid.

Two of these accidents occurred on Matakana Island, both involving teenage females.

In the first incident, a young teenage girl crashed an ATV, causing facial trauma injuries.

The helicopter airlifted her to Waikato Hospital, where she received further medical treatment.

In the second incident, another teenage girl fell off the back of a Ute, resulting in a head injury.

The helicopter promptly transported her to Tauranga Hospital for urgent medical care.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter has been serving the Bay of Plenty coastal region for many years.

This service operates 24/7, 365 days a year, with a dedicated crew of highly trained pilots, crewmen, and critical care flight paramedics who provide timely and life-saving assistance when it matters the most.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter relies on community support and donations to ensure your rescue crew can continue to deliver vital emergency services.

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