In the 11 days from December 23 to January 2, the service flew 35 missions from its three bases in Belmont, Tamworth and Lismore.

The helicopter was tasked to respond to everything from motor vehicle, motor bike and dirt bike accidents to swimming and boating incidents, falls from roofs, ladders and flying foxes, horseriding accidents, paragliding and hang-gliding mishaps, a beacon search for bushwalkers in the Gibraltar range, and medical transfers.

“Undertaking 35 missions in 11 days highlights the benefits of the new Augusta Westland AW139 helicopters, which offer greater speed, endurance and safety,” the Wespac Rescue Helicopter Service’s community liaison and media offer, Barry Walton, said.

“Since the fleet upgrade began in March 2017 the aircraft combined have reached over 2000 engine hours.”