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HALO Day Thursday

Southern Alberta man shares his HALO rescue story

Jul 8, 2020 | 12:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A rancher from southern Alberta says he’s proud to support HALO’s mission.

But the 70-year-old from Fort McLeod says he never heard of the local air ambulance.

Until he needed the service.

Raymond Nadeau says just over a year ago on June 12, 2019, he was fixing fence in the forestry in Porcupine Hills.

He and his hired man were driving uphill through some small trees, but one was a little too big and the quad flipped over on Nadeau and broke his back.

Nadeau laid there for 2-3 hours before paramedics arrived and they carried him a quarter mile to where HALO landed.

“The paramedics told me HALO was coming and I had no idea who that was because everything with HALO had something to do with angels but I wasn’t ready for that, so I found out there was a helicopter company out of Medicine Hat and they flew me to Calgary within a half hour. Got my surgery on my back with pins and plates, and I walked out two days later.”

Nadeau made a full recovery and says he is now good as ever, thanks to HALO for the prompt service and great ride.

He says his brother from Medicine Hat knew about HALO and had been supporting them.

But his curiosity about the organization grew, and since the accident, he has kept in touch and supports their fundraisers.

Nadeau has also met HALO’s organizers, founders, and workers.

“All great people. I must say I have nothing but admiration for the people who created HALO, the people who work with HALO, the people who volunteer for HALO, and all the supporters who donate money for HALO. My hat’s off to them.”

“I’m wearing my HALO hat today as I’m going to Lethbridge,” Nadeau said.

And he believes everyone in the province deserves good service.

“So I think it’s very important that most Albertans or all Albertans have that service available to them in a moment’s notice. That’s why I think HALO is very very important to the people of southern Alberta.”

You have a chance to support HALO’s mission on Thursday, July 9 during HALO Day.

It’s a full day to support HALO Air Ambulance thanks to local sponsors, Chat 94.5., and MY96 FM.

To make a donation tune in tomorrow on Chat 94.5, My96, or visit this link.