Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service celebrates 21 years since the establishment of its Tamworth base

But, if there was, it would have saved his arm.

Instead, the accident led to a successful push to establish a base for the service in Tamworth.

Fast forward to today, and its presence is stronger than ever, having saved countless lives in the New England North West.

This week it reached a significant milestone - 21 years of servicing the region from its Tamworth base.

Establishing the service in Tamworth was vital to the people in the region and the sick and injured, WRHS CEO Richard Jones OAM told the Leader.

"As the story goes, Hamish McLaren's accident on his farm at Walcha was the precursor but there had been a lot of work done before that," he said.

"Sadly, Hamish's accident brought it all into focus about the need for rapid transport of the sick and injured and it's undoubtedly proved a major success.

"It's made such a difference. As we know, resources can be stretched at times, and once again that rapid transport to the major trauma centres is vital to those people that need it."

Integral to the introduction of the service was the local MP at the time Tony Windsor, along with former WRHS chairman and now patron, Cliff Marsh.

"Both worked tirelessly at the political level to ensure we had support from the NSW government to get the license to support the region and community," Mr Jones added.

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"We're incredibly grateful for the support that comes from far and wide including volunteers, event organising committees, sponsors, clubs, workplaces, donors, suppliers and community groups."

Also integral to the helicopter's inaugural operations was aircrew officer Glen Ramplin who spent three years in the region helping establish the service.

Mr Ramplin said he still has great memories from his time establishing the service in Tamworth "and always will".

"It is where I started my full time career as an aircrew officer and my time there in establishing the new service and building ties with that community are some of my fondest memories with the service," he said.

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