I’ll begin by celebrating the grassroots life-saving work of our local LifeFlight helicopter and its crew. During the past financial year, the Bundaberg based rescue chopper and crew completed a record number of search-and-rescue missions, supporting 306 people—more than any other Queensland base.
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of visiting the LifeFlight hanger at the Bundaberg Regional Airport. The facilities are world class, but they are outgrowing them already. I had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a new AW139 helicopter.
The striking dark-blue chopper weighs up to seven tonne when fully kitted out. It can climb at a rate of 2,000 feet per minute and travels at speeds of 305 kilometres per hour.
The amazing crew, consisting of a pilot, crew member, doctor and paramedic, are all set up to help 24/7, whether they’re out at sea, in the outback or winching in mountainous terrain. I commend the work of these heroes and acknowledge the ongoing support they receive locally to stay in the air saving lives in Hinkler and beyond.