The crew on the West Coast are often dealing with the most challenging of conditions and an average mission length is longer due to the vast distances. We are blessed to now have Westpac NZ as our associate sponsor; this new level of support underpins the service on the West Coast. The Critical Care Paramedics on the coast are the highest qualified medical resource available for the community. In areas like the West Coast, when there is an emergency, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is the only option and can be the difference between life and death.
We extend a sincere thank you to ROA Mining for their significant support of the service over 13 years. Their generous commitment ensured that the West Coast community had access to this vital emergency response capability. ROA Mining will continue to support their community through their sponsorship of the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service. This sister service to the rescue helicopters is a regular visitor to the West Coast transporting patients between hospitals to the higher acuity care they need.
Left to right – Hernan, Peet, Joshua, Tom, Dazza
As well as fundraising to support missions on the West Coast we are working on a number of exciting projects to improve patient care and save more lives. Very soon, the existing BK-117 will be replaced with a state-of-the-art H145 helicopter that will have more advanced avionics. This will facilitate Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), allowing the crew to fly in lower cloud conditions, enabling the rescue helicopter to respond in more compromised weather conditions – a real game changer for the West Coast. This will be accompanied by equipment upgrades and advanced training, so the crew are fully prepared for all missions.
Mission support
Can you contribute to the cost of a mission or fund a lifesaving mission?
You can support a complete mission
1 mission- $5,000
2 missions – $10,000
4 missions – $20,000.
Or give a monthly gift – $20, $3o, $50, or your choice
Special Projects Development Fund
The West Coast community is currently served by a twin engine BK117-B2 rescue helicopter, but the H145 is on its way soon.
| MAKE/MODEL | BK-117 – B2 |
| ENGINE | Twin Allied Signal, LTS101-850B2 |
| SHAFT HORSEPOWER | 850 HP each engine |
| CREW | 1 pilot, 2 paramedics |
| MAX SPEED | 150 knots / 280kph |
| CRUISE SPEED | 120 knots / 222kph |
| RANGE | 540 kilometres |
| SERVICE | 1 HELICOPTER AND CREW ON CALL 24/7 |
| MISSIONS | 300+ AVERAGE PER YEAR |
Our community and corporate sponsors are greatly valued. Without their support our service would not be able to operate. The Canterbury West Coast Rescue Helicopter Trust gratefully acknowledges the following companies whose generous support contributes to the efficient operation of a viable FREE Rescue Helicopter Service in our region.
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆
𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄: 𝗘𝗱, 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗲, 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲
The rustling of a tree and a phone flashlight proved vital for a rescue crew trying to locate an injured walker.
The man was walking on the Woolshed Hill Track in the Hawdon Valley when he slipped and injured his leg.
While the rescue helicopter crew had a GPS location for the man, the bush was so dense it was virtually impossible to see him.
Winch operator Shane was on the skids of the helicopter, searching for signs of the injured party as the helicopter tracked back and forth. Those on the ground attracted his attention by shaking treetops and using their phone to reflect light.
Finding a suitable place to winch Critical Care Paramedic Steve down to the patient was tricky.
“There were a lot of dead trees standing, which we refer to as deadfall, and that’s risky as the downwash from the helicopter could knock those trees. We had to be aware of that while finding a hole in the canopy big enough to safety winch Steve down,” Shane says.
Once a safe winch spot was identified, Steve was winched down to the patient. The helicopter then returned to the staging area, where they had dropped any unnecessary equipment to reduce weight in the helicopter during the winch operation.
Meanwhile, Steve trekked to where the patient was waiting. He assessed the patient’s injuries, provided pain relief, and then identified a suitable spot where they could be winched up.
“Steve used his smoke flare to help us identify where they were, so I could lower the hook down and winch both Steve and the patient up to the helicopter,” Shane says.
The patient was transported to Christchurch Hospital for treatment.
A great result for the team and the patient. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Willy is currently riding over the Maruia Saddle in the Buller District, 1029 km in to his Rescue Warriors ride.
Willy is one of the `original` Rescue Warriors, first riding the length of the country back in 2022. This time around the hills may not surprise him, but the public has.
Learn more about Willy, including why he`s proud to give back to the country that`s given him so much: https://www.airrescue.co.nz/stories/willy-leferink-rescue-warrior-eleven/
Or see the Rescue Warriors link on our Linktree
Please consider leaving a gift in your will to the Canterbury West Coast rescue helicopter service.
This will be our commitment to you.
Find out more or request a copy of our legacy giving brochure here: https://www.airrescue.co.nz/support-us/leave-a-legacy/
Or see the gifts in wills link on our Linktree
It`s been a busy start to 2026.
This is the life-saving difference the rescue helicopter makes. But the crew can`t do it without your support.
Please like, follow, share, and - if you can - donate. Every dollar makes a difference.
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