On the 10th November I fell off my mountain bike in Queenstown and came off second best with what we thought was just a broken collarbone. The Otago rescue chopper arrived within 20 minutes and had me down to Lakes Hospital to be checked out. Little did we know we would be calling on your services again a few days later when I started to bleed internally at about 4am on a rainy Friday morning. Weather conditions were poor and the whole team worked tirelessly to try and arrange my transfer to Dunedin. The chopper was ready and waiting for me in Cromwell and I was flown straight to Dunedin and immediately into theatre.  

My wife will never forget the relief she felt watching the chopper take off from Cromwell knowing I was in safe hands and en route to getting the help I needed. While I don’t remember much of the trip, I felt safe and surrounded by an incredible team.  

We had never appreciated how remote and vulnerable we were until we desperately needed the rescue chopper, your service saved my life and we will be forever grateful. You provide an outstanding and truly critical service to our region, thank you for everything you do.  

Cheers 

Ferg