Rescuing Roma up the Richmond Hills

A Thursday in March Roma thought it was any other day. This is her story:

I am Roma from Richmond and a mother of two boys.

I have been saved and rescued by the rescue helicopter at Richmond Hills.

It was a beautiful day and I walked up the Richmond Hills in the Tasman Region. I love hill walking its my “Me time” and a time to reflect, meditation and gazing the beautiful scenery at the top of the hills, looking at beautiful creation of God.

Unfortunately, when I am about to walk down, suddenly, I tripped over, twisted my ankle and fell down. In a glance I saw my right foot dislocated and fractured and due to adrenaline rush, I quickly just put back my broken ankle. I didn’t realize that I cannot stand anymore with an unexplainable pain on my foot. I cannot move my foot anymore and needed to bum shuffle to reach my phone to call 111.

I was alone and my husband was at work, my children at school. I am still grateful that there is signal and was able to call 111. But with all honestly i don’t know how the ambulance can rescue me, since the only way to the hill is via the very narrow, steep, footpath I walked through..

Surprisingly, with just few minutes of talking to lady on the phone at the emergency line, she she said help was on the way. I didn’t expect the rescue helicopter, which was now on the top searching for me. When my husband came he immediately went to the open ground and waved his hands up in the air.

Since I was stuck in the bushes, I was crying when I saw the rescue paramedic came down from the chopper as if it was in the movie like a Spiderman. I am astonished and so thankful to God that I have been rescued. And when they lift me up in the air that was the most exhilarating ride of my life. I almost forgot I had a broken foot (lol) My rescuer was very reassuring and comforting.

Until we landed to the Nelson Hospital my rescuer ‘Tatsu’ (relieving from Christchurch) assisted me until I was handed over to the A&E and the doctors and immediately they have assisted me right away for surgery. Now I am back home with my family for recovery.

I am just grateful and thankful to these people and for this community service. These are the real life super heroes!!! After my surgery, when I’m all fully recovered back up I have a desire to be a a fund raiser of this service in whatever aspect I can help and support.

I will be forever thankful to God for this service has saved my life and helped me.