This is an increase of 17 missions on the previous year for the same period.

“The helicopter service is consistently busy throughout the year, performing an average of two missions per day,” Snowy Hydro SouthCare CEO Owen Finegan said.

“However we certainly see a spike in missions around the Christmas holiday period and warmer months when people engage in more outdoor activities and travel throughout the festive season.”

In December when many residents were gearing down for the year and heading on holidays, the rescue helicopter crew remained on call ready to respond to the next medical emergency.

The range of missions over the period was extensive, responding to motor vehicle accidents, search and rescue operations, and patient transfers between hospitals.

The period was unfortunately marked by several motor vehicle accidents, with the helicopter being called to 12 missions on our highways and country roads.

The most frequent destination for the helicopter was the NSW South Coast with 16 missions completed in the area, including a near drowning at Moruya.

There were two secondary missions to specialised hospitals in Sydney for a burns patient, and another spinal patient.

“It is comforting to know that the service was able to provide more than 50 patients essential medical care over the December and January period,” Mr Finegan said.

Snowy Hydro SouthCare clocked a total of 499 missions in 2013 which included one in Bodalla and five in Moruya.