This dramatic image taken by Aircrewman David Gardiner shows CareFlight’s rapid response BK117, callsigned ‘CareFlight 4’, shortly after landing on the busy Pennant Hills Road in Sydney’s north-west late in the afternoon on April 18.
Police had stopped northbound traffic to allow the BK to land briefly to drop off its medical crew to attend to a pedestrian who had been stuck by a car.
Launching from its base at Westmead Hospital, CareFlight 4 was on scene within minutes, navigating a series of light poles and headlights from the southbound traffic to land safely opposite two car dealerships.
CareFlight’s doctors assisted NSW Ambulance paramedics to treat the male pedestrian including sedation and intubation to maintain vital signs before continuing the treatment in a road ambulance to the Royal North Shore Hospital.
CareFlight’s Helicopter Emergency Rapid Response Trauma Service aims to deliver a specialist doctor, highly skilled paramedic and specialised equipment to a patient anywhere in its operating area within 15-20 minutes of a triple zero call.
