Two North Island rescue helicopters worked in tandem in response to a serious motor vehicle accident near Waihau Bay on Saturday.

The two-vehicle accident was reported to NZ Police at 2.35pm and the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter responded 10 minutes later, soon followed by Taupo’s Greenlea Rescue Helicopter.

Critical care flight paramedics from both services treated two patients at the State Highway 35 scene before each was flown in serious condition to Waikato Hospital.

The response was one of five reportable missions flown by the Eastland Rescue Helicopter in the seven days from Monday, March 25.

The other four were also to East Coast locations:

– March 26, 7pm – The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter responded to a trauma at Hicks Bay, from where the patient was flown in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

– March 28, 12noon – The team was recalled up the East Coast, this time in response to a medical event at Ruatoria, with the patient again flown in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

– March 28, 6pm – Later that same day they were dispatched to a medical event at Tokomaru Bay with the patient transported to Gisborne Hospital, again in stable condition.

– March 31, 5.50pm – The Eastland Rescue Helicopter responded to a medical event at Te Araroa, from where the patient was also flown in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

CAPTION: TEAM-WORK: Hato Hone St John was on hand in support during last week’s Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter response to a medical event at Ruatoria.