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 have ROA Mining as our naming rights sponsor; this 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 ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter is the only option and can be the difference between life and death.
Completing over 300 missions last year, the mission numbers are building steadily. The service also gets involved with transporting patients between hospitals and through civil defense, with deployment and rescues during crisis times, most recently with the Westport (and environs) flooding.
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. Longer-term, the aim is to replace the existing BK-117 with a more modern aircraft with more advanced avionics. This will facilitate Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) which allows us to fly in lower cloud conditions, enabling the ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter to respond in more compromised weather conditions – a real game changer for the West Coast. We are also looking at equipment upgrades and supplementary 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
In line with requirements of the new NASO contract, the West Coast community is now served by a twin engine BK117-B2 rescue helicopter.
| 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.
𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿?
Every mission is a story of urgency, care, and lifesaving work. If you or someone you love has been rescued by our crews, we would love to hear about your experience.
Whether it was an accident, a medical emergency, or a search and rescue mission, your story can help others understand why this service and our fundraising is so important.
Please share your story with us. Your experience could inspire others and show the impact of emergency air rescue. Comment below, send us a message or complete the form on our website (link in our bio).
Thank you for being part of our rescue community.
#airrescue #lifesaving
Earlier this month the Trust team visited the Greymouth base. Thanks to everyone who came along for the evening.
We were thrilled to be able to announce that the first of the new H145 helicopters from Rega Swiss Air-Rescue will be coming to the coast within the year. This will be a substantial step up in service for the region.
Read more on our website.
#lifesaving #westcoast #community
A huge thank you to Jess, Campbell, @coast_towing and everyone involved with the 2024 Kokatahi Charity River Run in December.
It looked like an amazing day out for everyone, and a great fundraiser for the ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter.
If you`re driving past 6 South Town Belt in Rakaia in Late January (maybe early February) right through to April you won`t miss this gorgeous display of Lillies for sale by Bakker Bulbs. If you`re driving through on the main road then it`s worth the detour to pick up a bunch of flowers and support the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter at the same time.
Last year this fantastic company raised over $11,000 for the helicopters and hope to do more this year.
