Cassidy needed urgent transport to Waikato Hospital, but wild weather made it too dangerous for a rescue helicopter flight. An urgent call went out to the Westpac air ambulance, the fixed-wing aircraft owned and operated by Philips Search and Rescue Trust, to fly to Whakatāne Airport, where Cassidy’s ambulance was waiting. “I was loaded on to the plane in stormy conditions by a tremendously amazing, caring crew who were so reassuring. It takes courage and determination to fly in atrocious weather,” Cassidy said. A routine stent procedure was conducted, and he was out of hospital the following day.