Paul will never forget the helicopter rescue supporters helped make possible earlier this year.
There aren’t enough words to thank you properly.
You see, it’s only because of supporters that we can fly to the rescue of people like Paul… who was relaxing on the ‘pool deck’ of the Villa Vie Odyssey Cruise Ship as it floated gently on the sparkling blue Tauranga coast.
Out of the blue, Paul felt deeply unwell.
“The ship doctor diagnosed that I had a bleeding ulcer,” Paul says. “I remember being scared of what was ahead.”
Knowing that Paul was in a critical condition, the ship’s doctor called 111, and Paul’s fear soon turned to relief at the sound of whirring
chopper blades in the distance.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter had arrived on the scene in a matter of minutes.
"Thank you! You saved my life," says Paul.
While your rescue helicopter crew had arrived quickly, there was nowhere for them to land on the cruise ship. But as always, that’s
nothing to worry about.
The highly skilled crew are always fully prepared to pivot and adapt. Pilot Clayton kept the helicopter hovering above in midair while Critical Care Flight Paramedic Richard was winched down to the cruise ship below.
Assessing Paul’s condition, CCFP Richard OK’d him for the flight – and Paul was winched up into the helicopter and flown straight to Tauranga Hospital.
“Even though I’m somewhat afraid of heights, the crew made me feel safe,” Paul remembers.
Today, Paul is fully recovered, and considers the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter service to be ‘life-saving.’
“It gives me great comfort, knowing this service is available. This experience has made me realise how vulnerable I can be and that
health, as precious as it is, is precarious.”
From all of us at the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter, thank you for helping us rescue people like Paul. We are so grateful!
Donate today: https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/aerocool-rescue-helicopter/donate