New helicopter for CWCART
The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust (CWCART), based in Christchurch, New Zealand, has purchased another full-time NZ$14 million rescue helicopter.
The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust (CWCART), based in Christchurch, New Zealand, has purchased another full-time NZ$14 million rescue helicopter – an EC145, which will be launched in July or August.
The addition was announced by the Trust’s Chief Executive Christine Prince during the handover of $22,500 to the CWCART from Sophia Street Car Park Trust (SSCPT). Prince said: "The reason [CWCART] upgraded to this new helicopter is that it has more manoeuvrability – because, obviously, it is very small, contained space. They can more easily carry two patients at once and the safety is better."
Prince added that the second helicopter would assist with the increasing number of rescues which were required in the area – a job which previously required CWCART to hire an aircraft from Garden City Aviation.
Praising the work of the SSCPT, Prince said: "We think you are hidden gems, you're beavering away doing all of this good work but very few people seem to know what you are up to."
SSCPT Chairman Paul Johnston thanked the people who used the car park and added: “The money we are giving today is $22,500 – $10,000 has come from the car park, $10,000 has come from Freemasons NZ Charity and $2,500 has come through from the District Grand Master." Prince stated that the donation would go directly into her trust's operating costs.