Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter callouts up 40 per cent on previous year
The Hawke's Bay rescue chopper is the busiest it's ever been, and now averages more than a mission a day.
Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter general manager Ian Wilmot said the crew had completed 215 missions in the past six months - up 40 per cent on the same period last year.
This was compared to 153 missions over the same period last year, and a total of 346 callouts for 2020.
About 40 per cent of the 215 missions this year related to accidents, covering the whole gamut of road accidents, on-farm, sporting, cycling, trips and falls at home and outdoor pursuits like hunting or tramping.
A quarter of callouts related to medical emergencies, he said.
Thirty per cent were for patient transfers between hospitals and about 6 per cent related to search and rescue operations.
Wilmot said it had been their busiest six months ever, but the massive year-on-year increase was due to a number of factors including Covid-19 restrictions and the lockdown last year reducing the number of callouts.
"During lockdown we were still called to a number of accidents, medical incidents, but it was a quieter time for us over that six weeks.
"Since the borders have been closed and with more Kiwis holidaying in our own backyard - this has led to more cars on the road, more Kiwis out tramping – all of which means an increased demand for the rescue helicopter."
The helicopter was now fully crewed, with three full-time pilots, three full-time crew, and three full-time intensive care paramedics, allowing them to provide a "true 24/7 service", he said.
Wilmot said neighbouring rescue helicopter services had been equally busy.
"We have been called more often to incidents out of our traditional Hawke's Bay coverage area as we have backed-up our neighbouring services - just as they have covered for us."
The total number of missions completed last year was a 15 per cent increase on the year 2019.