Stories
March 11, 2025
On June 15, 2024, seven-year-old Sophie Jack was all geared up to play a soccer game when, out of the blue, she had an unwelcome asthma attack. Her Dad, being the Fire Chief at Cooks Beach immediately phoned the ambulance who then coordinated with the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter to fly Sophie from Cooks Beach to Thames Hospital. With the collaborative effort of all emergency services, at one point two fire, two ambulance and two Auckland Westpac Rescue medics were all in her bedroom making sure she received the best care possible. The ambulance crew transported Sophie to the waiting Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter on a nearby landing field and as the chopper was leaving all the firefighters waved to her, which was a lovely touch.
She said it was ‘pretty cool’ being in the helicopter as she could look down and see her hometown of Cooks Beach and beyond to Whitianga and even saw a rainbow!
Whilst at Thames Hospital, Sophie was not improving and so the decision was made to transport her by road to Waikato Hospital for further treatment and three days later she showed great improvement and was able to go home.
Sophie is an active girl. Her favourite things to do are horse riding, soccer and singing and she’s not letting her asthma slow her down anytime soon.
She is now attending a breathing facility in Auckland called Breathing Works to give her the exercises she needs to cope with another breathing emergency should she need, before the first responders arrive.
Her advice to others is to stay calm and don’t freak out! The crew have got you! Dr Nick Longley was the Doctor on board that day along with Critical Care Paramedic Russell Clarke and Pilot Matt Shrimpton.
To say thank you to the crew who helped her on the day, she organised a bake sale on January 3rd (purposefully) as there would be lots of holidaymakers still around.
Sophie raised over $300 for our service, which is incredible, and we are so grateful. The money along with a lovely card was delivered to our Ardmore Base recently.
We wish Sophie all the best for her very bright future ahead.
