The RACQ-CQ Rescue Helicopter Service has flown over 5000 missions in the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions since it was established in 1996. The service is credited with having saved countless lives, and improved the outcomes for many of its patients. Some of the tasks the service attends can be intense, with the crews dealing with the trauma of road accidents and search and rescues.
However, tragedy unfortunately struck the service in 2003 when on Friday October 17, the Rescue chopper, which was on a routine medical retrieval to Hamilton Island, failed to arrive at its destination.
The wreckage of the Bell 407 chopper VH-HTD (pictured below in 2002) was discovered six metres under water, about 15 kilometres north of Mackay.
The crew, all aged 31, were very experienced at their jobs, but sadly all perished in the tragedy. A memorial stone (pictured below) was unveiled at Mackay Airport, near the RACQ-CQ Rescue building and hangar on the Western side of the Airport.
The RACQ-CQ Rescue Helicopter service is a valuable service that serves a vast area of Central Queensland. Donations are welcomed all year round. Visit the CQ Rescue website (https://cqrescue.org.au/) for details.
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