Busy afternoon for Greenlea Rescue Helicopter

The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was dispatched yesterday afternoon to the Tongariro forest.
A man in his twenties had suffered a gunshot wound to his leg while out hunting. He was located and winched into the helicopter before being flown to Waikato hospital.

While there, and as the closest available helicopter, the Greenlea rescue machine was requested by the Auckland maritime police to assist with the search for three missing boaties off the Manakua harbour bar.

Though we had not departed equipped for a water rescue, fortuitously, due to the previous tasking the Greenlea helicopter was well prepared for this unforeseen event, even having a dedicated additional rescue swimmer / crewman on board.

Fortunately the missing parties were quickly located.

The Greenlea helicopter was stood down and returned back to taupo for a well earned feast of easter eggs, but not before assisting on another job as we passed Tokoroa on the return leg.

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 Taupo’s principal sponsor, Greenlea. 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

ENDS