Spring Newsletter
Your Spring Update!
A family’s worst nightmare...
The Hindmarsh Family found out the hard way how vital our service is. What should have been a normal day working on the farm in Crownthorpe, turned out to be one of the worst days of their lives.
Tim was out working in the paddocks in his side-by-side ATV (all terrain vehicle) when it unexpectedly rolled. He was seriously injured and his son was the first to find him, unconscious and starting to turn blue from lack of oxygen. His son called emergency services who dispatched our Rescue Helicopter and we were on the scene shortly afterwards.
As is often the case at these emergencies, it was a team effort with the local St John Ambulance, Fire Service and ourselves attending to Tim. He was intubated at the scene so he could breathe and we loaded him into the helicopter to take him directly to Wellington Hospital to high level ICU care.
Meanwhile, his family have watched this all occur around him, even the family dog standing guard close by. As our helicopter took off, with their beloved dad inside, they jumped in the car to get down to Wellington Hospital as quickly as possible to find out if he would be okay.
The severity of Tim’s injuries meant we had a full helicopter with medical staff who needed to monitor and treat him on the flight to Wellington, so there was no space for family to fly with him.
Tim remained unconscious and unaware of all that was happening around him, while his family likely had the most stressful drive of their lives.
They received a call from ICU to say Tim had spinal injuries and it was later confirmed he had broken his neck.
The Hindmarsh family said “We want to express our deepest gratitude for your swift and professional response on Thursday the 29th of May, when Tim had his farm accident in Crownthorpe. our fast action, calm presence, and expert care made all the difference. We are in no doubt that if it weren’t for your immediate efforts, Tim’s life would have been at risk. It’s impossible to truly express how much that means to us all.”
Our helicopter took just over an hour to get to the roof of Wellington Hospital, where the specialist care Tim required, was waiting for him. He spent 8 days in Wellington ICU, before moving to a ward and later being transferred back to Hawke’s Bay Hospital to finish his recovery.
The Hindmarsh Family have been supporters of ours for 10 years. It’s thanks to their support and those of our other wonderful donors that enabled us to be there for Tim on the 29th of May. No matter how big or small your donation, you are truly helping to save lives in Hawke’s Bay and for that, we will be forever grateful.
Please consider donating today so we can continue to be there for families like the Hindmarsh Family. One day, we could be helping you or a loved one.
