The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Kawhia at approximately 11:30am this morning to retrieve a 50-year-old Te Awamutu woman, who had sustained back and shoulder injuries after she fell from a horse.
Local St John staff had initially treated her and transported her to Maketu Marae to meet the helicopter.
Due to the distance from hospital and nature of her injuries the rescue helicopter was used to fly her to Waikato Hospital.
ABOUT PHILIPS SEARCH AND RESCUE TRUST
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for the North Island’s largest pool of community helicopters. PSRT was founded in 1985 after an endowment by Philips New Zealand Limited to mark a light aircraft accident near Turangi in which two Philips personnel lost their lives.
Encompassing six rescue helicopters and two fixed-wing planes, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis. The rapid response is powered by an expert crew of pilots, paramedics, flight nurses, Police and volunteer crewmen. In a life and death situation it is this speed and agility that can make all the difference, with patients able to receive medical treatment whilst en route to a medical facility.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust operates:
Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Waikato King Country
Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter, Bay of Plenty
BayTrust Rescue Helicopter, Rotorua – Bay of Plenty
Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, Taupo – Central Plateau
Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter, Manawatu – Whanganui
Westpac Air Ambulance (Fixed wing), Nationwide
MORE LIFE-SAVING RESCUES YOUR DONATIONS HELP FUND
Mountain rescue saves Frenchman
Farmer injured near Eketahuna
Shoulder injuries on Rangiaea Island