The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to the Urewera settlement of Ruatahuna just after 9 am on Monday 30 April where a 34-year-old woman was in premature labour with twins.
Due to the potential complications of premature labour the rescue helicopter was essential, getting a specialist pediatric team to the remote location as quickly as possible.
The woman and her babies were treated at the scene. All three were then taken to Rotorua Hospital for further observation. It is understood all are healthy.
The Rotorua Based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter carries out approximately over 200 missions per year. The missions are varied, anything from motor vehicle accidents, farm and forestry incidents, labour and birth related, sport and leisure activities and general health emergencies.
In the past month alone the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter has been called out 13 times, including:
- an urgent transfer to Waikato Hospital for a woman with sepsis, utilising Night Vision Goggle equipment.
- a callout to a motor vehicle accident in Taupo to airlift a patient with serious trauma to Rotorua Hospital.
- airlifting a 19-year-old woman from a remote horse riding event with multiple injuries.

Philips Rescue Helicopters, Bay Trust Rotorua BOP Rescue Helicopter, Tuesday 2 May 2017. Photo: Stephen Barker/Barker Photography.©Philips Search & Rescue Trust