Stories
August 22, 2025
On June 2, a regular day out riding dirt bikes with friends at Woodhill Forest turned serious for Jake, when a hidden tree root caught the wheel of his motorbike, flinging him sideways into a tree.
“I knew straight away my leg was broken in multiple places. It was wrapped around the tree and trapped under the bike, going in directions legs aren’t supposed to go,” he recalls.
An experienced rider who grew up on bikes, Jake had only recently returned to riding after a ten-year break. That day, he was with two mates, both experienced riders, who quickly stepped in to keep him calm and comfortable while help was called.
The remote location meant getting him out by ambulance wasn’t an option.
“One of the guys who runs the park came out and said, ‘We’ve called an ambulance, but we’ll probably need to get the chopper,’” Jake said. “I remember thinking yeah, there’s no way I’m getting out of here easily.”
The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter responded swiftly. Within 45 minutes, the crew were overhead. Due to the density of the forest, they winched down in a nearby clearing, located Jake, stabilised his leg, and administered strong pain relief.
He was stretcher winched back up to the helicopter and flown to a nearby farm paddock where the crew reconfigured the aircraft for a stretcher load, before transporting him to Auckland City Hospital in a serious condition.
Jake spent over a week in hospital following surgery, with another hospital stay for a second procedure. His injuries were serious multiple leg fractures and suspected ligament damage to his knee. He’s now slowly regaining movement and expects a full recovery will take up to a year.
A truck driver and digger operator by trade, he won’t be able to return to work until his leg is fully healed. But he’s optimistic and grateful.
“If the helicopter hadn’t been available, it would’ve been a 20-minute quad bike ride out, then another 20 minutes for the ambulance to get through the forest, and however long again to hospital,” he says. “It could’ve been so much worse, I feel lucky. The crew were amazing. Professional, calm, quick. I can’t thank them enough.”
Thanks to you, our community of donors and supporters, we’re able to reach people like Jake in their greatest time of need. Your support helps keep us in the air and saving lives.
