On 26 July 2016 at approximately 10.30pm, the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Opotiki, to attend a car accident. A 19-year-old male involved in the accident was critically injured.
He was stabilised by the specialist on-board paramedic before being flown to Tauranga Hospital. The rescue helicopter was utilised due to the life-threatening injuries the patient has suffered.
Yesterday, that patient, James Rolleston met the Pilot of that life-saving flight, Ben Fry.
At the time of the accident, due to his injuries, James was unaware that he was flown from the accident scene by the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter or that it was the on-board paramedic that stabilised him.
He was extremely grateful that the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was there that night, and the rapid-response of the rescue helicopter that got him to treatment within the critical “golden hour”.
As part of James’s gratitude he offered Pilot Ben Fry his support for this essential community service.
