The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter has released its January mission report, revealing a demanding start to the year with 56 life-saving callouts across the coastal Bay of Plenty region.

Throughout the month, the busy rescue team responded to a wide range of emergencies, including 23 inter-hospital transfers, six medical events, 10 rural or farm incidents, seven motor vehicle accidents, and 10 miscellaneous missions.

High activity across the region

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was most frequently seen in:

– Tauranga, completing 11 inter-hospital transfers.

– Whakatāne, with nine transfers.

– Rotorua, with two transfers.

Crews were also regularly dispatched to more remote or hard-to-access areas such as Matakana Island, Mōtītī Island, Waihau Bay, and Paengaroa, highlighting the aircraft’s vital role in reaching isolated communities quickly.

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter during its recent flight to Matakana Island. Photo / PSRT

Significant January callouts

The first major mission of the year was in Whangamatā, where the helicopter was sent to help a woman in serious condition. After treatment at the scene, she was flown to Waikato Hospital for ongoing care.

That same evening, the crew responded to Whakatāne Hospital, retrieving a man injured in a horse-riding fall and taking him to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

On January 3, the team was called to Te Araroa, north of Gisborne, where a male patient had suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident. He was stabilised and flown to Whakatāne Hospital.

The busy month continued:

– January 17 (morning): A woman with serious burns was flown from Tauranga Hospital to Waikato Hospital for specialist care.

– January 17 (afternoon): A man with serious injuries from a vehicle accident in Kawerau was airlifted to Waikato Hospital.

– January 18: The crew flew to Pyes Pa to assist a woman injured in a fall. She was stabilised and transported to Waikato Hospital.

– January 19 (early morning): A man in critical condition in Ōmokoroa was treated by the onboard critical care flight paramedic before being airlifted to Waikato Hospital.

– January 22: A woman with serious injuries from a vehicle accident in Edgecumbe was flown to Waikato Hospital.

– January 23: A critically ill male on Mōtītī Island was stabilised and transported to Tauranga Hospital.

In the final mission of the month, the helicopter was sent to Whiritoa, on the Coromandel Peninsula, where an injured male needed a winch rescue before being flown to Tauranga Hospital for ongoing care.

Supporting the service

The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter relies heavily on community support to continue delivering its essential, life-saving service across the region.

People can donate or become a monthly “Heli Hero” here: https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/aerocool-rescue-helicopter/donate