Introduction
The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust has successfully administered a professional air rescue service since 1989. This has been achieved in partnership with Garden City Helicopters, the operator of the service, and the Order of St John, through its paramedics and 111 emergency call service.
Since 1989, thousands of people throughout Canterbury and the West Coast have been successfully flown from accident sites and hospitals to critical care units throughout the South Island and further afield by three main operations - The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, based in Christchurch, the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter based in Greymouth and the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service fixed wing aircraft also based in Christchurch.
The success of this crucial service is due, in no small part, to the fact that the Trust has the recognition, co-operation and support of the Police, Ambulance Service, ACC, Hospitals, Coastguard and of course, the community which it serves.
During the continuing changes throughout the health sector and ACC, the Trust has continued to provide a pre-eminent, world-class air rescue and air ambulance service on which the lives of so many depend.
This has been achieved through the commitment of the Trustees, Rescue Crew and the sponsors and supporters of the service - without whom the service would simply not exist. Our existing sponsorship arrangements cover about 30% of operational costs, while payments from ACC and hospitals cover another 30%. The remainder is raised from the community.
Read more about FUNDING
Find out more about why an Air Rescue Services is a critical requirement in our community CLICK HERE
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History
1950
Helicopters were first used by the military as a means of rescue in the Korean War. They were the ideal means of getting wounded soliders from a combat zone to a medical station as quickly as possible. This was well depicted in the famous television series MASH.
1963
In New Zealand the first known civilian helicopter rescue was as far back as 1963. The helicopter was a Sikorsky S55, and the rescue saw Nelson pilot John Reid pick up a young woman who had been seriously injured in a caving accident.
1970
The first rescue helicopter service in New Zealand was set up on Auckland's west coast in the summer of 1970-71. Westpac began sponsoring the service in 1986.
1975
In Wellington the first rescue helicopter was started by pioneer helicopter pilot, Peter Button, He set up a commercial helicopter company called Capital Helicopters in 1975 that was available for emergencies.
1986
Christchurch company Garden City Helicopters assisted with air rescues when required. However, in 1986 their helicopter was called out to a challenging boat rescue off the coast of Canterbury. As it was not a dedicated rescue service, the helicopter was not equipped with appropriate safety equipment for the type of rescue and the crew had to make do with ropes and life jackets. After this, a decision was made to set up an independent trust to raise funds for the rescue helicopter fundamentals, including specialist equipment, training and payment for hire of the helicopter from Garden City Helicopters.
1989
Formal establishment of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
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