28 November 2016

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Today at 1500 hrs the Tauranga based Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to a head on crash on SH33 near Okere Falls, a car and van collided head on resulting in multiple patients, we flew a young girl around 6 years old to Waikato Hospital with critical head injuries. A woman in her 30s was trapped for some time in the car, she was cut free by the fire service before being flown to Waikato Hospital in the Bay Trust rescue helicopter, she was also in a critical condition.

Other patients were taken by St John ambulance to Rotorua hospital. For further details please contact Rotorua police.

Philips Search and Rescue Trust (PSRT) is a charitable organisation, operating rescue helicopters throughout the Central North Island. Philips Search and Rescue Trust relies on support from principal sponsors and community donations. Special thanks to Tauranga’s principal sponsor’s, Trustpower and TECT. This crucial financial support ensures our rescue helicopters can continue to bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and trauma-trained medics directly to the patient. For further information about PSRT visit our website rescue.org.nz

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Organisation Background:

Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for the North Island’s largest pool of community 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 six rescue helicopters and two fixed-wing planes, 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, paramedics, flight nurses, Police and volunteer crewmen. In a life and death situation it is this speed and agility that can make all the difference, with patients able to receive medical treatment whilst en route to a medical facility.

Philips Search & Rescue Trust operates:

Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Waikato King Country
Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter, Bay of Plenty
BayTrust Rescue Helicopter, Rotorua - Bay of Plenty
Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, Taupo - Central Plateau
Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter, Manawatu - Whanganui
Westpac Air Ambulance (Fixed wing), Nationwide

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