Chopper Country: Akaroa

Tracey Foley, a woman from the Akaroa, lives in Chopper’s country – a fact that hit his wife pregnant with his daughter seven years ago.

At seven months old, Tracy started bleeding and went to work at her home in the isolated peninsula of Banks.

She started driving to Christchurch Hospital – on steep hills and along exposed ridges – but the one-and-a-half hour drive was too far away in her condition. The contractions had started and fearing the worst, she had to stop and call 111 for help.

The Westpac rescue helicopter arrived and transferred Tracey to the hospital where a team of specialists was waiting to help her, along with her preterm daughter, who both survived the ordeal because of the reaction. fast of the helicopter.

Akaroa is famous for its holidays far from Christchurch with its rare Hector’s dolphin and its French colonial history.

But tourists arriving in the small town on cruise ships, as well as local residents, are victims of medical emergencies in the remote area.

The Akaroa Village Inn is located opposite the main pier where tourist ships frequently dock. Inn owner Darren Angus said he saw the helicopter once every two weeks, depending on the activity in the area.

Darren Angus, owner of the Akaroa Village Inn

“Normally I see the Westpac rescue helicopter fly over its landing site at the recreation site. I can not wait to see or hear the helicopter because something went wrong, but knowing that it is available comforts the permanent residents of Akaroa. We do not have a hospital here so it is essential to provide services to locals and tourists, which gives us a sense of security and comfort. ”

Dr. Alexander Shaw, one of the two general practitioners in Akaroa, also sees the helicopter at least once a fortnight.

“I’ve seen some really great flights and excellent patient care, delivered by a team of highly qualified pilots and paramedics in intensive care,” he said.

“The Westpac helicopter is definitely a vital asset, it saves lives and gives sick patients the best chance of a complete cure. During the tourist season, we have a huge population influx and our population of 2,000 in the Akaroa region can reach 10,000 people. At that time, we were asked to repair the helicopter two or three times a day, “added Dr. Shaw.

In 2018, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter from the Canterbury area took part in 42 missions to Akaroa, said Rick Knight, team leader of the helicopter and paramedic paramedic in intensive care.

“We raised six cruise ship patients last year, including five medical incidents and one accident. The other 36 missions took place between the township itself and locations on the Akaroa Peninsula, “added Knight.

The crew’s flight time between the helicopter base and Akaroa takes about 12 minutes, depending on weather conditions, compared to an hour and a half of ambulance driving. Fast helicopter service is therefore essential for patients who need urgent care at Christchurch Hospital.

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