Guy's Story - Rakino Island

Earlier this year, Guy was playing on the trampoline at their home on Rakino Island. Like many kids, he and his older brother’s friends were having fun with the classic double bounce. In an instant, the fun turned serious.

Guy was launched off-balance, slipped through the springs, and landed awkwardly over the side of the trampoline, badly injuring his leg.

“His leg was really deformed,” Guy’s dad Steve recalls. “I don’t think they believed me at first!”

After calling 111, the dispatcher sent a video link so Steve could show them the severity of the injury. The moment they saw it, the response escalated quickly.

Being on an island, helicopter support is often the only rapid way to get a child to specialist care. Within minutes, the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was en route.

The crew arrived, assessed Guy, and worked for nearly an hour to stabilise his fractured femur, a difficult and very painful break, especially for a child. Once they were able to straighten and secure his leg, he was transported on an all-terrain vehicle and then loaded into the helicopter for the flight to Starship Hospital. Guy’s older brother travelled with him and mum Phillipa, who works in Auckland City, met them there.

“It was pretty traumatic,” Steve said. “But the crew were just amazing with him.”

At Starship, Guy underwent surgery to insert a titanium rod through the centre of his femur. After five days in hospital, he returned home in a wheelchair and gradually moved to crutches. His recovery has been steady, and after his follow-up with the surgeon, he’s even been able to get back on his bike, though trampolines are on pause for now.

“He’s doing well,” Steve says. “He’s not quite 100% yet, but he’s getting there. Hard to keep him still though, especially with summer coming.”

Steve also shared his gratitude for the crew and the service.

“I can’t thank them enough. They were so good with him.”

Guy’s story reinforces how vital rescue helicopter access is for island communities where a boat trip could take too long, but a helicopter can make all the difference.