Air medical mission milestone for RACQ CQ Rescue

The transfer of a very sick seven-week old baby to Mackay Base Hospital in the early hours of 26 April marked the 8,000th mission milestone for RACQ CQ Rescue. The baby boy, who was suffering a serious lung infection, was accompanied by his mother and arrived at hospital just under an hour after departing Bowen at 01.45 hrs.

RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Ian Rowan said the service was incredibly proud to have been able to fly to the assistance of thousands of individuals in their moment of dire need and have made a difference to so many lives across the region, adding: “We have already saved hundreds of lives in the last year, whether it be via hospital transfers, attending motor vehicle or workplace accidents or search and rescue missions, and we’re incredibly proud to have grown both in size and status to become one of the most trusted and highly respected not-for-profit organisations in the state.”

The charitable organisation, which started in 1996 in a small demountable building, using a quarter of a shared hangar space at Casey Avenue. In the first full year the service’s single engine Bell Long Ranger helicopter undertook 92 tasks and operational costs were $1 million. In 2018, operational costs are $8.65 million and task numbers are expected to exceed 551 missions completed last year.

Image: RACQ CQ Rescue