The LifeFlight Special Mission helicopter crew has conducted welfare checks on residents stranded in a town impacted by one-metre deep floodwaters, amid the ongoing North West flood emergency.
The specially trained aeromedical crew was tasked to assist shortly after 9:30am (Weds 15th March), after local Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers were unable to contact the Urandangi residents who had decided to stay behind to safeguard the town, following recent evacuations.
The rescue helicopter crew, along with two QPS officers, flew the Boulia Shire town to confirm the pair’s location and wellbeing.
Both people clearly signaled to the crew that they are well and safe to remain.
Yesterday (Tues 14th March), the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter, permanently based in Mount Isa, was called to assist in another flood-related task.
The rescue chopper crew flew with two police officers on board, on a reconnaissance flight to survey the extent of further flooding continuing in the region.
The Mount-Isa based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter covered area as east as Julia Creek, and further south to Kynuna.
The LifeFlight Special Mission helicopter is usually based in South East Queensland, but is currently operating out of Mount Isa, after LifeFlight was tasked by Queensland Amublance Service (QAS), to support their response to the widespread flooding in North West Queensland.
Anticipating the requirement, Retrieval Services Queensland strategically prepositioned a LifeFlight chopper in the region on Saturday (11th of March), ready for quick response.
The AW139 helicopter is configured for emergency response duties and is capable of day and night operations, including Search and Rescue, aeromedical response and movement of personnel and freight.
The aircraft is part of LifeFlight Australia’s network of helicopters, which includes the community helicopter fleet.
