The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was tasked to a motorbike accident on the Taihape-Napier Road yesterday afternoon.
A Hastings man in his 30s was found injured by two German tourist, one an off-duty Astronaut, who arrived on the scene some time after the accident.
“It appears the injured rider was returning to Taihape to get a breakdown truck for some other tourists with vehicle mechanical problems,” said Pilot Chris Moody.
A St John Road Ambulance arrived at the scene just prior to the Rescue Helicopter. The patient was stabilised by the onboard Paramedics before being airlifted to Hastings Hospital.
Later in the evening the rescue helicopter was dispatched to Levin, for an elderly man suffering a serious medical condition and in need of specialist surgery.
He was flown directly to Wellington hospital arriving in a critical condition. The mission was completed well after midnight with the crew using Night Vision Goggles.
About Philips Search & Rescue
Philips Search and Rescue Trust (PSRT) is a charitable organisation, operating rescue helicopters throughout the Central North Island. Philips Search and Rescue Trust relies on support from principal sponsors and community donations. This crucial financial support ensures our rescue helicopters can continue to bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and trauma-trained medics directly to the patient.
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