A medical emergency in the tiny settlement of Te Araroa on the East Cape at 6:30pm last night resulted in the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter being tasked to assist.
A teenage girl suffered breathing problems requiring immediate hospital care.
The flight was conducted using Night Vision Goggles and the patient was flown to Whakatane Hospital for further assessment.
Due to the distance to the nearest hospital (approximately a three hour journey by road), the rescue helicopter was tasked as being the most appropriate emergency response.