A DAYDREAM Island patient who experienced cardiac distress had to be winched to the rescue helicopter, due to the island’s helipad being closed for repairs.
A BMA CQ Rescue spokesperson said it was not a routine mission.
“What started as a glorious day on a tropical island took a serious turn for BMA CQ Rescue’s patient, on Friday (August 15),” the spokesperson said.
“The patient experienced cardiac distress, while on Daydream Island, and the helicopter was called to provide the urgent medical care that the patient needed.
“Normally quite a routine landing occurs on the helipad at Daydream Island, but this time the BMA CQ Rescue team winched down to the patient.
“Once the patient was stabilised, the medical team and the patient were winched back up to the helicopter.
“With everyone on back on board, the chopper headed back to Mackay, where further medical care waited.
“The winching operation was required to retrieve the patient, as the helipad is currently under repair.”
When asked about the helipad, BMA CQ Rescue’s CEO Tim Healee said, “The Daydream Island helipad is currently closed for repair.
“BMA CQ Rescue and Daydream Island are actively working together to build a new helipad that is purpose-built for our AW139 helicopters.
“We thank Daydream Island for their proactive approach to ensuring we can offer critical care to their island guests and staff, and for their commitment to the new helipad.”
