The CQ Rescue helicopter has been called to seven incidents in just 48 hours.
It was a busy weekend for the crew, responding to a range of incidents on Saturday and Sunday in all corners of the region.
Among the missions were three cardiac related issues, a snake bite, a search and rescue, and four inter-hospital transfers.
The first call came from Hamilton Island just before 2am Saturday, with the crew called to the island to assist a man in his 20’s when he experienced health problems caused by a suspected snake bite.
At 8:51am, the crew was back in the sky and on their way to Bowen to treat a patient with testicular torsion.
He was flown to Mackay for further treatment.
A man in his 40’s was next to need the life-saving medical service when he experienced cardiac issues, with CQ Rescue taking him from Proserpine to Mackay.
The team was then needed when a man in his 30’s experienced heart issues while on Hayman Island.
The fifth mission of Saturday came at 8.49pm when the night crew were tasked to Collinsville to assist a man also experiencing cardiac issues
After a busy day of flying, the team were called on twice again on Sunday.
An Epirb was activated, with BMA CQ Rescue was tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on a search and rescue mission to locate the Epirb source and determine what assistance would be needed.
The crew quickly located the boaties who had experienced battery failure on their boat, so they were without any communications.
Both people on board were in good spirits and healthy, so a radio was winched to them from the helicopter so they could communicate with Marine Rescue Queensland Mackay, who were on the way to offer mechanical support or a tow if needed.
Other boaties in the area were called upon to assist as well, and as expected, were more than happy to help.
The second and final mission of the weekend saw the team tasked to Moranbah to offer medical assistance to a patient suffering from complications related to her diabetes.
The teenager was transported in a stable condition to Mackay while under the care of the flight medical team.
General Manager Lisa Martin said that while it was a busy weekend, the crews are more than ready to answer calls for help whenever they come in.
“We have day and night crews ready to activate whenever we are called on. At BMA CQ Rescue, we truly are a 24-hour service,” she said.
“This weekend was exceptionally busy, but it’s what we do.
“When our community calls, we answer.”
