Testimonials

A very grateful Adrienne recovered fully and was none the worse for her ordeal when she visited the base to thank her heroes and bring pictures from her students.

On 15 July, 2007, Brisbane school teacher Adrienne Dougal was winched from Mt Cootha following a mountain bike accident. Following is Adrienne's description of her rescue.

'Thanks to Jodie's GPS and a large group of sympathetic onlookers jumping around under the trees, the helicopter was on top of us in about 15 minutes. The down draft seemed like a storm and while friends put their helmets back on, the ambos protected me from falling dead branches. They strapped me in the stretcher and I was carried to a very small clearing and handed over to a masked man, later identified as Mick, who kept tapping me and doing a "thumbs up" as we slowly but surely were raised to "helicopter heaven" or so I thought. Perhaps it was the morphine but I remember thinking I was leaving the world behind.

During the 50 metre winch to the chopper we came close to trees but my masked man pushed us off and we continued up. At one point the cable was through some branches and, as we got closer, I closed my eyes. I couldn't move and felt the futile urge to scream. Moments later I opened my curious eyes and saw nothing but white. I admit I was momentarily terrified but soon got another tap and a "thumbs up". This made me realise that the white I saw was just the overcast sky and that I was still in the land of the living, only up pretty high.

I began wondering how I was going to get into the chopper and soon realised that I was the only person there who had not rehearsed. My legs were lifted and I have to admit that, at that point, I thought I was about to slide out of the stretcher and fall all the way back down to my friends and my bike. Before I could think any more, I was in, checking out the interior of the chopper and the guy facing me. I knew I was going to be OK, another tap and a "thumbs up" too.

Within minutes we were at the hospital and I didn't even feel the landing, great work! Helicopters are such cool fun, even when you're injured. Thanks Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Team.'

Thank you very much for assisting in the transportation on our son Noah to the neonatal unit in Brisbane Hospital. Noah is now home and getting stronger and bigger as each day passes.

Sam and Graeme
Sippy Downs

I am so glad to have the opportunity to give my personal thanks to the crew of the helicopter for their extraordinary kindness and concern they showed to my husband and myself. I will not forget their kindness and how much it helped at what proved to be the worst day of my life. Physically, I recovered very quickly but emotionally will take longer. Thank you again for all the help received, you are just wonderful, special people.

EB
Airlie Beach

Thank you for all your assistance. Sam has recovered from the snake bite and is now back to a normal 9-year-old now. We can't thank you enough for all your support.

Thank you
Fishers
Brisbane

Coming from a country lacking in proper medical and health services, I consider myself most fortunate to reside in Australia where these services are available and carried out with utmost care, professionalism and understanding of both simple and complex medical procedures. My family is indebted to Energex Rescue and we appreciate and salute your hard working volunteers who work tirelessly to provide this much needed service to the community.

Daure-Gibson family

I would like to take this opportunity to thank your Rescue Team who responded to my call for help so readily. After being assessed on arrival...I was operated on the following day.

Mr/Ms Murry

We found your dedicated pilot and crew truly amazing people. I was lucky enough to be able to accompany my husband on the flight over to Hervey Bay Hospital. My husband, Bob, is doing fine. He accidentally tripped on a tent peg and tipped the pot of hot water onto his left arm and chest….Please tell all your crew what amazing people they are, they all treated us with the utmost professionalism.

Catherine Clark

It's a comfort to know that there are organisations such as yourselves who will be there when accidents like this occur.

The care and attention I received from the team was wonderful and I am very grateful.

He will be able to tell his grandchildren of his being evacuated from Maleny Hospital to Nambour in double quick time on the Energex chopper.

Thank you all so much for getting me and my Dad to Harvey Bay Hospital in five mins.

Please accept our small donation to help make sure you can rescue other people too!

Thanks for the letters