Second ‘dragonfly’ helicopter arrives in the Torres Strait

The state-of-the-art Leonardo AW139 aircraft is one of two helicopters that will fly under the Lagaw Kuyup banner, strengthening medical services throughout the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area of far north Queensland, and solidifying the strategic partnership between Babcock, Queensland Health and the local community.

The aircraft can fly faster and farther than the existing fleet, and comes fitted with enhanced medical, retrieval, and search and rescue (SAR) equipment for a more agile response to the unique emergencies that arise in the region.

It will enter service immediately, joining its ‘twin’ aircraft, which features the same eye-catching dragonfly livery, and which began operations last month.

Aerial services are an essential part of medical response in Indigenous communities throughout the Torres Strait, to fly patients from the 17 primary healthcare centers on the islands to the region’s main hospital on Thursday Island.

Dr Mark Elcock, Executive Director of Retrieval Services Queensland at Queensland Ambulance Service, commented: “The Lagaw Kuyup Rescue Service will be staffed around the clock by specially trained doctors and paramedics from the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service and Queensland Ambulance Service, ensuring equitable access to specialist care 24 hours a day, seven days a week in one of Queensland’s most remote and isolated areas.”

Babcock was recently awarded a new 10-year contract with Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.