CAPE Paterson residents and holiday makers had an early start Sunday of the long weekend when the familiar whup, whup, whup of aa helicopter was heard overhead.

A medical emergency in the hamlet necessitated a patient evacuation by one of Victoria’s Air Ambulance helicopters. 

A MICA ambulance attended a residential address in the eastern part of Cape Paterson and, after a period of treatment, transported a male patient in his 70s to Cape Paterson’s Park Parade Reserve oval where the helicopter was waiting.

Initially the helicopter orbited the hamlet a few times at low altitude searching for the most suitable landing site.  The Air Ambulance pilot, Cameron, later said they had intended landing at the Bass Coast Health - Wonthaggi Hospital helipad to collect the patient there. 

However, preparation of the patient took longer than planned so, while still in flight, they diverted to land at Cape Paterson to reduce the patient travel time. 

The crew considered landing at the tennis courts in Cape Paterson, which was close to the location of the patient.  They were offput by the strong winds, high fences and surrounding trees. 

Instead, they made a low approach from south into the stiff northly wind with the side doors open so two crew could aid Cameron in avoiding some large trees by looking out either side of the aircraft.  The helicopter touched down smoothly on the cricket pitch in the centre of the oval – attracting quite a crowd of onlookers.

The aircraft is one of five in Ambulance Victoria’s fleet of five twin-engine European Augusta Westland AW-139, known as the Leonardo AW139, which have been operating with the service since 2016.  The twin engine helicopters cost approximately USD11 million each to purchase when new.  They also operate four twin engine King Air B-200 fixed wing turboprop aircraft.  All the aircraft are fitted with medical evacuation and treatment equipment that is interchangeable with the other Ambulance Victoria services.  The aircraft are based at Essendon Airport, where this flight originated.

While waiting for the patient to arrive at the helicopter, Cameron and his crew encouraged onlookers to have a close-up look at the aircraft.  Many children and grown-ups were seen sitting in the cockpit and the medical area while the crew patiently answered all questions.  While the context of Air Ambulance’s visit to Cape Paterson was very serious, the generosity of the crew also made it a successful public relations exercise.

The professionalism of all members of Ambulance Victoria’s paramedical and aviation staff was on display during the handover from the MICA ambulance to the helicopter.  Many observers commented it is reassuring to know these services are available to all members of the community when they are in need.

When the helicopter finally took off the vortexes generated from the main rotor threw up a lot of leaves and other debris – but the crew had moved the onlookers to a safe upwind distance.

The helicopter flew directly to Royal Melbourne Hospital with the patient in a critical condition.

*The above piece was written by Neil Perry with additional information added from Ambulance Victoria.