News
Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter, there when you need it
17 February 2012
This year Solid Energy proudly celebrates 10 years of sponsorship to the West Coast Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the service is an invaluable asset to a community which has such varied terrain, isolation and volatile weather patterns. As testament to the value of the service, Hokitika primary school teacher Monica Hulme shares her story about the day she unexpectedly needed rescuing.
In early 2012 Monica, an experienced tramper, set off with tramping partner Murray on a two-day hike up the Styx River in the ranges behind Lake Kaniere. Both were well prepared with a good knowledge of the area. However, they weren't aware that extensive erosion in the region had caused large rock falls, slips and wash-outs, changing the layout of the track and making it progressively more difficult to navigate.
Almost six hours into their tramp, Monica's foot snagged while traversing some loose boulders. She took a tumble and caused serious injury to her leg and ankle. It very quickly became apparent that she could not make it back out of the bush on foot. It took two and a half hours for Murray to race back to the car park to get cell phone reception and call for help.
Upon receiving the call, Police tasked the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter to locate and recover Monica. The helicopter crew of three consisted of pilot Angus Taylor, winch operator Stu Drake and paramedic Di McLachlan. After gathering information about location, injury and clothing colour, the team took to the sky. Less than four hours after Murray departed, Monica saw her rescuers overhead.
"Locating Monica was easy as she was in the shade of the forest and using her torch to attract our attention," says Stu. "We set up for a winch operation and lowered Di down into the clearing with a medical kit, vacuum splint, ground-to-air radio and rescue triangle." Once on the ground, the helicopter departed to land further upstream and Di had 15 minutes to prepare Monica for winching.
After providing a situation report to the Police, the helicopter returned and Stu winched Monica and Di up 18 metres to safety. About an hour and a half after first departing, the crew returned to Greymouth where a St John Ambulance was waiting to collect the patient.
"I really can't say enough about them," says Monica. "I am simply in awe of the job they did. For some reason, I kept denying that I was 'important enough' to rescue with a helicopter! I couldn't believe it when they winched the paramedic down and told me they were here to help me. They reassured me every step of the way."
Thankfully, no bones were broken but Monica suffered severe lateral strains and was six weeks in recovery.
Monica's story highlights that while we can take every precaution against accidents, they still happen. It is a great comfort to know that when they do, the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter is there to help.
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