Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter Completes 55 Life-Saving Missions In May

Scoop

26-06-2025

Press Release – Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was frequently seen in the Coromandel area due to the high number of medical emergencies in locations such as Waihi and Whitianga.
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter carried out 55 life-saving missions across the Waikato, King Country, and Coromandel regions throughout May.
These missions included 34 inter-hospital transfers, four medical events, five rural/farm incidents, five motor vehicle accidents and seven miscellaneous missions.
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was frequently seen in the Coromandel area due to the high number of medical emergencies in locations such as Waihi and Whitianga.
The month began with the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter being dispatched to Rotorua Hospital for a male who was experiencing a medical event. He was airlifted to Waikato Hospital to receive further medical care. Two additional medical emergency missions were carried out later that day.
On May 3, three life-saving missions were completed by the rescue helicopter crew. One involved the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter flying to Horotiu to assist a female who was had sustained injuries following a fall while bike riding. The patient was stabilised at the scene for approximately 30 minutes before being airlifted to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.
In the early hours of Monday morning, April 5, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew to Whakatane Hospital after being dispatched to assist a male who had sustained trauma injuries. The patient was airlifted to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.
On May 8, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Waikato Hospital for a male experiencing a medical event. He was airlifted to Auckland City Hospital to receive further treatment. That evening, the crew completed one medical emergency-related mission and one trauma-related mission.
On Saturday afternoon, May 10, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Wharepapa South to assist a male who had sustained serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident. He was treated on scene for over an hour before being airlifted to Waikato Hospital for further treatment. The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was also in attendance.
Later that day, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew also carried out an inter hospital transfer and responded to a second motor vehicle accident.
The following day, May 11, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Manu Bay to assist a female in critical condition following a boat-related incident. She was airlifted to Waikato Hospital to receive further treatment.
Later that afternoon, the rescue helicopter was tasked to Whitehall for a male who had sustained serious injuries in a quad bike-related incident. He was stabilised on scene for approximately an hour and a half before being swiftly airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
On May 16, the rescue helicopter crew was dispatched to Te Aroha to assist a man injured in an animal-related incident. The patient was flown to Waikato Hospital to receive further care.
On Sunday afternoon, May 18, the rescue helicopter responded to a remote location in Te Akau, where a male had been injured in a motor vehicle accident. He was treated on scene before being airlifted to Waikato Hospital to receive further treatment.
On May 24, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Mt Pirongia for a male who had sustained lower leg injuries after a fall while mountain biking. The patient was treated on scene and flown to Waikato Hospital for further care.
On the morning of Tuesday, May 27, the rescue helicopter was dispatched to Taranaki Base Hospital for a man experiencing a serious medical event. The patient was transported to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.
On May 30, the rescue helicopter crew flew to Kaimai-Mamaku Forrest Park to assist a male experiencing a medical event. He was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital to receive further treatment.
The month ended with a mission to Waingaro, where the crew assisted a woman who sustained trauma injuries following a motor vehicle accident. She was treated on scene for approximately 50 minutes before being airlifted to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.
What if… you could save a life?
Donate to your Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter today and help turn that 'what if' into someone's survival story > https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/waikato-westpac-rescue helicopter/donate
Notes:
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island's largest pool of community rescue 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 a fleet of rescue helicopters, 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, Air Crew Officers and Critical Care Flight Paramedics.
In a life and death situation it is this speed and agility of the rescue helicopter that can make all the difference, with patients able to receive medical treatment as soon as the rescue helicopter arrives and continuing whilst en route to a medical facility.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust fundraise for and support:
Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Waikato, King Country, Coromandel Aerocool Rescue Helicopter, Bay of Plenty Coastal Region
Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, Central Plateau and Lake's Region