“Because of the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter, I still have my brother alive today"
In June 2019, Blair received a phone call no brother wants to receive: his youngest brother Tilven had been in a motorcycle accident in Hawera.
His brother was stable thanks to quick action taken by bystanders and paramedics, however it’s what happened in the vital minutes afterward that Blair believes saved his life. The Taranaki Rescue Helicopter ZK-ITR at the Hawera Helipad responded immediately and flew Blair’s brother from Hawera to Wellington Hospital.
“My kids still to this day, nearly four years on, remember seeing the helicopter flying over us as we arrived at the hospital. Because of the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter, I still have my brother alive today,” said Blair.
Prior to the accident, Blair was already a Friend of the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, after becoming involved with the organisation in 2012.
“We once helped TRHT stuff envelopes, and my mum won a bottle of wine in the raffle, prompting me to become a regular donor. When my daughter was 6 months old (she’s now 10), she featured on the TRHT Facebook page sitting in the helicopter.”
Blair now lives in Melbourne, where he continues to support the life-saving emergency services in his community. “I sponsor the Victoria Flying Doctors and I have joined the Country Fire Authority.”
“My family appreciates all that Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust has done for us. Thank you for the service you provided in 2019 for my family, and the commitment you give to the community. It must be time to update that photo of Hannah Jane (and now Huntar) in the ZK-xii when we are back in NZ next!”
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