The team responded at 11.20am — minutes after the single-vehicle accident was reported to NZ Police.

Police say one person died in the crash and four other occupants of the car were injured.

After treating their patient, the Eastland team flew them in critical condition to Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.

The mission was one of five completed by the Eastland Rescue Helicopter in the seven days from Monday, January 6, the others being:

— January 8, 11.30am — The team carried out an inter-hospital transfer from Gisborne to Auckland Hospital, transporting a patient who had suffered a medical event and was in serious condition.

— January 8, 5.30pm — Soon after their return to Gisborne the team was dispatched to a trauma at Wairoa, flying their patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— January 9, 7.45pm — They responded to a motor vehicle accident at Whatatutu, flying their patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— January 11, 11.50am — The team was called to a medical event at Ruatoria, again flying their patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

CAPTION: HILL COUNTRY: On the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team’s mission schedule for last week was Thursday’s early-evening response to a motor vehicle accident at Whatatutu.