As summer arrives across the Manawatū-Whanganui region, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter is preparing for one of its busiest times of the year. Longer days, warmer weather and thousands of visitors flocking to beaches, rivers, bush tracks and lakes mean more people are out exploring, and with that comes a greater need for rapid emergency response. No matter what summer activity you’re enjoying, from the beach to the bush, your rescue helicopter will be there, ready to respond when you need it most.

Every summer, your Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter crew responds to a wide range of missions across the Manawatū/Whanganui region: rescues from the rugged backcountry and river valleys, medical emergencies in remote rural communities, serious motor vehicle accidents on busy holiday roads, and urgent interhospital transfers for patients requiring specialist care. The rescue helicopter’s ability to reach patients quickly, provide critical care on scene, and transport them to hospital can make all the difference when every second counts.

As the weather warms, your Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter has already been called out to popular summer destinations around the Manawatū-Whanganui region, to assist patients in need of rapid medical care.

On the morning of Tuesday, November 25, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Tōtara Forest Park for a male who had sustained injuries after a fall while hiking. He was airlifted to Wairarapa Hospital to receive further treatment.

On Friday afternoon, November 28, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Kāpiti Island for a female suffering from a medical event. She was treated on scene by the onboard Critical Care Flight Paramedic before being airlifted to Wellington Hospital for further medical care. That evening, the rescue helicopter assisted a male patient in Akitio who had sustained injuries following a farm-related motor vehicle accident. He was treated on scene and transported to Palmerston North Hospital for further treatment.

On the afternoon of Saturday, November 29, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Hunterville for a female patient who was in serious condition. She was stabilised on scene and en route to Palmerston North Hospital to receive further medical care. That evening, the rescue helicopter attended to a female patient who was suffering from a serious medical event in Kāpiti Domain. She was treated by the onboard rescue crew and airlifted to Wellington Hospital to receive further treatment.

Sunday, November 30 saw the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter assisting a male who had sustained injuries following a fall in Arapuke Forest. Due to the patient’s remote location, the onboard rescue crew winched him out of the terrain and provided him with treatment en route to Palmerston North Hospital.

On the evening of December 4, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Mākākahi for a male suffering from a medical event. He was stabilised on scene and airlifted to Whanganui Hospital to receive further advanced care.

On the morning of Saturday, December 6, the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Scots Ferry for a male patient who had sustained serious injuries following a motor vehicle accident. The patient was treated on scene before being flown to Whanganui Hospital to receive ongoing care.

You never know when you or a loved one might need your rescue helicopter. By donating today, you’re helping ensure the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter remains ready to respond, equipped and prepared to save lives across the Manawatū-Whanganui region this summer. - https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/grassroots-trust-rescue-helicopter/donate

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