RACQ CQ Rescue in Mackay sets new record

RACQ CQ Rescue’s helicopter based in Mackay, Australia has set a new record making June the second biggest month in the service’s 20-year history.

The chopper completed 51 tasks over the course of the month, racking up 90.58 flying hours in total, enough to beat the base’s previous second best of 45 missions in July 2015. It was still a long way off beating the record for the most missions though, which was set in April 2014, when the rescue helicopter flew 62 tasks.

RACQ CQ Rescue said that the missions performed by the service’s Bell 412 cost almost A$700,000. The tasks completed over the month included three search and rescue missions, four cardiac patients and three motor vehicle accidents, although the majority were inter-hospital transfers.

Martin Cleland, CEO of RACQ CQ Rescue, said that June is usually a quiet month for the service. He also thanked those who helped to fund the missions: “It cost more than $650,000 to airlift, rescue, winch and transfer patients which is ultimately funded by our community. While you can’t put a price on people’s lives, if you’ve contributed to our annual appeal, our patients have you to thank because without your donations, we simply wouldn’t be able to provide this vital service.”