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Santa was not the one out flying in the early hours of Christmas morning, as the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was tasked with its own very important delivery - in the form of an urgent maternity transfer to Waikato hospital.

on boxing bay the longline and screamer suit (a type of nappy/harness) was used to recover a person who had fallen into red crater on the tongariro crossing.

27 Dec: RARO alpine rescue used to help recover a hiker from the upper slopes above Turoa ski field suffering from hypothermia

28 Dec: Motorcyclist flown from oruanui, north west of taupo to Rotorua hospital with spinal injuries

29 Dec: Mountain biker, Woman in forties, flown from the Timber trail in the Pureora’s to Rotorua also with possible spinal injuries

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

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