Night vision needed for landing
A BRISBANE-based rescue helicopter, carrying one patient, had to make an emergency landing in Cooroy early this morning.
The Emergency Management Queensland helicopter was conducting a medical transfer from Bundaberg Base Hospital to the Royal Brisbane Hospital when the crew were alerted to a possible mechanical issue.
The crew made an emergency landing at the Cooroy Football Club oval with the use of night vision goggles around 1.15am. The AGL Action Rescue Helicopter was preparing to depart when the call about the EMQ helicopter came through.
No one was injured as a result of the emergency landing and the patient, who was being transferred between hospitals, was transported by ambulance to the Action Rescue Maroochydore hangar and airlifted on to the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Upon arrival the patient was taken in for immediate surgery.
AGL Action Rescue Helicopter chief executive David Donaldson said the EMQ helicopter was lucky to have night vision capabilities.
"Many Community Rescue Helicopter Providers in the state, including our service do not have them due to the expense of their implementation," he said.
"Incidents like this further support our need for the State Government to fund the inclusion of night vision goggle capabilities on all aero-medical emergency rescue aircraft in the state not only for the safety of our pilots, crewman, critical care doctors and intensive care paramedics but the safety of the patients we transport"
