Experience an ‘eye-opener’

The last time Gill Isherwood was in a helicopter she was being rescued from Lake Monowai.

Yesterday, she was given the chance to turn her traumatic experience into a positive memory.

This time, she was one of more than 80 people attending the second annual Southland Race4Life Track Day held at Teretonga Park.

The event was an opportunity for palliative care patients to enjoy an adrenaline-packed day of activities, ranging from racing in Ferraris to riding in a helicopter.

‘‘About three years ago I had an accident, I couldn’t see anything from the helicopter that time because they were pumping me full of morphine. But today was lovely.’’

Although she was a little ‘‘apprehensive’’, her nerves were put at ease as soon as she got up in the air.

‘‘Alan [her friend] told me I had to go up in the front seat this time, so I did.

‘‘I didn’t realise there was so much water around Invercargill. It was great to see it all from up high.’’

HeliOtago pilot Kevin Gale spent the day showing groups a bird’s-eye view of the Southland city across the ocean.

Ms Isherwood said the experience was a ‘‘real eye-opener’’ and she thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the pilot from the passenger seat.

abbey.palmer@odt.co.nz