Canberra and the region’s local rescue helicopter service is fast approaching a milestone of 5,000 missions in its 15th year of operation. Snowy Hydro SouthCare expects to perform its 5,000th mission before the end of January.

Since 1998 the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Aero-Medical Rescue Helicopter has been serving the ACT and surrounding region, extending as far North as Orange, South to the Victorian border, and up the NSW East Coast.

The helicopter responds to an average of two missions per day, and in 2011-2012 performed 450 missions – an increase of 20% on the previous year.

Snowy Hydro SouthCare CEO, Owen Finegan says: “With increasing mission statistics and costs, it reinforces the need for community support. When you hear or see the helicopter flying overhead, I urge you to stop and consider the important role the service plays in your community”.

In 2011-2012 the majority of missions performed were hospital transfers from regional centres to The Canberra Hospital, or to specialised hospitals in Sydney. The typical patient was a male, over 45 years residing at the NSW South Coast with injuries from an accident.