The heart of the operation

Thanks to your support, the Rescue Helicopter reached Paul McIsaac in his time of need.

Paul McIsaac is a man with nine lives. And thanks to the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter, he’s got a few more.

On 12 May 2016, the Kohuratahi farmer was relaxing in his favourite chair when he suffered a heart attack. Living 70kms inland from Stratford, Paul didn’t have time to wait for an ambulance. Fortunately, the Rescue Helicopter was available and quickly enroute.

“After landing in the back paddock, the guys came in and instantly put things to calm,” Paul says of the Rescue Helicopter crew. “They are so professional, and really exceptional at what they do. They took control of the situation and did everything without causing me any pain.”

It wasn’t the first time Paul had been in the hands of the Rescue Helicopter crew’s professionalism. A year earlier, he had a heart attack in his bedroom and needed to be flown to Waikato Hospital to have a stent put in.

“Both times I have been in a lot of pain, but the guys have done an awesome job. I can’t speak highly enough of them. They go above and beyond the call of duty and we’re really nice people to deal with in my time of need.”

“Living out where we are, the Rescue Helicopter is a godsend. You guys are tops. I don’t know where I would be without you.”