Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters.
Available through the emergency 111 call system, our rapid response rescue helicopters bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel, and trauma-trained Intensive Care Paramedics directly to the patient. The timely assistance that rescue helicopters provide can reduce disability and improve survival. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance of patient recovery.
It could be you, or your loved ones that need us. Your support ensures that your rescue helicopter is available to your community.
Saying “see you later,” to fellow gym goers, Gary Cassidy finished his workout, got into his car and headed, not for home, but for Whakatane Hospital. He knew something was wrong but no one else was any the wiser. On entering hospital, Gary grabbed his chest and collapsed on the floor of ED.
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A simple and enjoyable horse ride on a local beach with friends couldn’t possible go wrong…could it? Pam and her friends were enjoying riding their horses on Te Horo Beach, when a man walked over the sand dunes towards them wearing a large floppy hat. There was nothing noticeably unusual about that but Pam’s normally placid horse didn’t like the look of the gentleman’s summer accessory and became spooked.
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Imagine yourself feeling uncharacteristically off-colour, wanting to see a doctor, but having to navigate social distance protocols and covid screening at the emergency centre. This was Phil Bowyer’s experience when he almost collapsed at home after a shower.
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In the early morning of Monday, 18 October, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Whakatane Hospital to transport twin premature infants.
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On Sunday, 17 October, the TECT Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Whangamata for a teenage male patient suffering an allergic reaction.
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On Saturday, 16 October, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Te Kuiti to transport a male patient in his sixties who had suffered a cardiac event.
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