The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter will land wherever it can, which last week saw it perched on a track etched into an exposed ridgeline.

“It did look a bit unconventional but as there were no trees or power lines around, it was actually ideal,” says base manager Richard Curtis of last Wednesday’s landing at the Motu end of Toatoa. “We can certainly end up in some unusual spots.”

However, the limited landing options meant the helicopter had to set down some way from the patient, who had suffered a back injury.

They were assessed and treated by the on-board Critical Care Flight Paramedic before being driven to the helicopter, then flown in a stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

CAPTION: Last week’s call-out to Toatoa required the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter to make an unconventional landing on a ridgeline. Picture by Loic Ifrah.