Testimonials

5 January 2010

Dear Chairman

We write to express our grateful thanks to you and your staff for assistance given to us when Louise was injured recently on the Overland Track. Louise slipped and badly hurt her back around mid-day on the 24th Dec near Old Pelion Hut. We managed to walk to New Pelion and Louise spent a very painful 24+ hours on a bunk there until evacuated by Tasmania Air Rescue helicopter late on Xmas afternoon.

We would particularly like to thank the staff of Tasmania Air Rescue that were on duty on Xmas Day. We have not recorded all their names but we believe that the Pilot was Adrian Smith and that the Medic was Peter Stride(?). There was also another member of the team whose name we unfortunately did not record at the time. No doubt there were also communications staff who took the call and made things happen that are also to be thanked.

The effective working relationship that Tasmania Air Rescue has with the Staff of the Cradle Mountain Visitor’s Centre and their track rangers was clearly evident and led to a speedy and professional evacuation handled with not only efficiency but also with kindness. Thanks to these efforts Louise was in the capable hands of the medical staff at Royal Hobart Hospital by 7.30pm that evening. We are also grateful that David was able to accompany Louise in the evacuation even though he was prepared to walk out. Having David present certainly assisted with Louise’s recover in Hobart.

Fortunately it turned out that Louise had not suffered any spinal damage; the diagnosis was an acutely bruised sciatic nerve – serious enough in itself and extremely painful and debilitating in the short term, but an injury that should have no longer term impact. Louise was unable to walk without severe pain for several days but is now operating with only minor pain and will soon be back to full walking strength again.

Once again we would like to express our appreciation for the great support infrastructure you have in place and to the staff who responded so quickly and helpfully to deal with our difficulties. Please especially pass on our thanks to the team involved for their assistance. We have made a donation to the Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust to in some way express our thanks more materially.

Many thanks and very best wishes to you and your staff for the New Year.

David and Louise

3 April 2009

Dear Kirsten

As mentioned to you my husband and I have traveled to Tasmania every March for the last 14 years to bushwalk. We just love it. This year we were on the 4th day of a 10-day walk from Scotts Peak Dam to Farmhouse Creek via Federation Peak when I slipped, badly damaging my knee so I was unable to continue. Fortunately we carried a sat phone and managed to contact Police Rescue so that I could be winched up to a helicopter and taken to Hobart on Friday 13th March. I am writing to thank you and your wonderful staff for this amazing service.

Mick (police crew), Simon (paramedic) and the pilot were most professional and caring in a very tricky winch-out job. I am extremely grateful for their assistance. I badly damaged the cartilage and am only just able to put weight back on it now. Luckily it appears to be healing well, I might get away without an operation.

I feel strongly that I should assist the continuation of the emergency helicopter service so hope this cheque may help in some way.

Could you please pass on my thanks to everyone who is involved in this great service.

Warm Regards
Wendy