NSW Westpac Rescue Helicopter crews have had a challenging weekend of emergency call-outs – after widespread flood waters along the coast cut off access for multiple road ambulance crews.
Around 9am this morning, the crew were tasked by the NSW Ambulance to an emergency at Harrington, on the Mid North Coast, where a six-year-old boy had suffered a severe asthma attack.
With road crews not able to get to the boy due to flood waters, the Westpac air angels were called in to help.
“A 6-year-old boy was suffering severe asthma and needed to be evacuated due to the area becoming isolated with floodwaters,” the Westpac Rescue Helicopter communications team said.
“Due to the extreme weather, the helicopter was able to reach Harrington via an instrument approach into Taree.Â
“The boy was treated on scene by the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team prior to being airlifted to Williamtown Airport to rendezvous with a road ambulance to transfer him to John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
“An instrument approach into Williamtown was also required as the weather precluded the helicopter from landing at John Hunter.”
Thanks to the work of the crew in very challenging conditions, the young boy is reportedly now in a stable condition.
It was the crew’s second call out to Harrington this weekend, after a 67-year-old man was left isolated by floodwaters while needing medical treatment for multiple medical conditions yesterday.
“Road access by emergency services was unable to be achieved,” the Westpac Rescue comms team said.
“The helicopter was able to reach the male patient in a car park near his property at around 4.55pm.
“The Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team treated and stabilised the gentleman and he has since been airlifted to the JHHÂ in a stable condition for further treatment.”
In a third call-out, this time to a property (pictured, below) at Ellenborough, west of Wauchope, crews attended to an 83-year-old woman who had suffered a fall.
Roads to the woman’s property had been cut off in both directions by flood waters.
“The helicopter was able to reach the patient, landing at the property at 2.30pm.”
“The Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team have treated and stabilised the female for possible fractures and airlifted the lady to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital in a stable condition for further treatment.
“The Helicopter crew wish to thank members of the local community for their valuable assistance during the recovery of the injured lady.”
On behalf of the Australian Seniors News team – we say thank you, you truly are our air angels.
