Fine weather in the South has coincided with a busy holiday period for the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust, as more people choose to enjoy the outdoors.
Chief pilot Graeme Gale said it had been kept ''very busy'' with a range of callouts, from medical emergencies to car crashes and boating accidents, plus ferrying intensive care doctors or nurses to incidents.
It was always busy for the trust during the summer holidays, but in particular when the weather was good.
''It's fantastic when people are out there ... but every now and then accidents do happen.''
Being busy put pressure on the trust's staff and other emergency services, including volunteer firefighters.
''It takes all the volunteers away from their families at this time of the year.''
