Doc Martin makes chopper history

Dr Erin Martin is the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter’s first female doctor and already she’s had a pretty unusual experience – attending another crashed helicopter at Mt Barney.

“It’s been busy… my first job was a car crash and then there was the crashed helicopter. The adrenalin was certainly flowing… it was a little bit scary. But thankfully, no-one was critically hurt,” she said.

The 33-year-old emergency department doctor is employed at Lismore Base Hospital but, as part of her ongoing training, has been seconded to the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter for at least the next six months. She replaces Dr Richard Mahoney, who will stay on one day a week.

“I’m excited… it means lots of different challenges and being out of the hospital environment, so it’s exciting as well as bit daunting,” she said. “Being in the helicopter is kinda cool, it can be very picturesque.

“It can be a bit nerve-racking when we go out (on missions) because we only have limited information about the job before we arrive at the accident scene,” Dr Martin said. “Other than that, it’s great; I enjoy the helicopter and the crew are really competent. I can also potentially influence people’s lives in a positive way.”