RACQ CQ RESCUE Helicopter Service

RACQ-CQ Rescue helicopter in action

March 4 2009

The RACQ CQ RESCUE helicopter is again having a busy day with the crew on their third mission today and their 6th task since the start of the month on Sunday.

After taking part in the search for a missing fisherman in a dory which became separated from its mother ship “Mariner” near the outer Great Barrier Reef, east of Bowen early this morning, the crew has since flown to Moranbah for a 72 year old woman.

The CQ RESCUE helicopter left Mackay around 10.30am for the elderly Moranbah resident who was experiencing head pain and vertigo. She was transferred to Mackay Base Hospital for further investigation.

On return to the CQ RESCUE hangar at Mackay Airport the crew was then tasked to Hamilton Island where a 42 year old man with chest pain is currently being monitored at the island’s medical centre.

After refueling the aircraft the crew left Mackay at 1.30pm for the half hour flight to Hamilton Island. The medical crew on board the CQ RESCUE helicopter will assess his condition, administer treatment to prepare him for the flight and return to Mackay Base Hospital.

Other missions this week have included the transfer of a Mackay woman from Daydream Island after suffering the affects of an Irukandji sting, a 27 year old man who received a severe leg fracture as a result of a water-skiing accident near Clermont and the retrieval of a motorcyclist with multiple fractures when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle near Hay Point on Sunday. All patients were transported to Mackay Base Hospital.

During January the crew completed 40 missions and another 38 during February. The month of March is shaping up to be another busy month ahead for the rescue crew.