Working with CHC Helicopters, RAC Rescue operates two 24/7/365 bases at Jandakot and Bunbury airports. Photo: RAC Rescue
Western Australia’s RAC Rescue has completed its 10,000th rescue mission since the rescue and HEMS service was launched 21 years ago. The milestone mission was flown on 24 April when a call came into the Jandakot base to assist a man injured by a fallen wall. The aircraft was airborne in less than 15 minutes, flying the 240-kilometre journey to meet the patient and attending St John WA volunteers at the local airfield before flying him to Royal Perth Hospital for further treatment.
Commenting on the landmark mission, Deputy Commissioner Operations Craig Waters AFSM said, “An extended mission to Bruce Rock reiterates the importance of the service in a State as vast as ours. Its ability to rapidly deploy to regional locations and fly people direct to Perth’s major trauma centres significantly contributes to improved patient outcomes. Whether it’s evacuating sick people stranded by flood waters or responding to road crashes, offshore emergencies or cliff rescues, RAC Rescue is a major asset to WA’s emergency response capability and has helped save thousands of lives.”
Since the first mission on 11 August 2003, RAC Rescue has flown over 2.1 million kilometres, rescued over 6,700 patients and responded to 5,161 road crashes.
