Police are investigating the theft of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter’s fuel pump from the state’s Central Highlands recently.

Senior Constable Josh Peach, who is part of the helicopter crew, said that the fuel container was broken into at Derwent Bridge some time between late October and early November.

“As a result of the break in a Macnaught fuel pump was stolen along with several other fuel pump accessories such as a length of black fuel hose,” he said.

“The theft of this pump had the very real potential to affect patient safety. This fuel base is often used by the rescue helicopter to refuel before or after rescuing people from the iconic Overland Track and other remote areas of Tasmania.

“Without the pump we simply cannot refuel the helicopter which would mean we’d have to wait for a fuel truck from Hobart. If this occurred at 3am, for example, we would have to call out the Rotor Lift fuel truck driver and the drive alone is about three hours.

“Fortunately the break in was discovered by a Rotor Lift employee who was replenishing fuel and not the helicopter on a mission that affected patient safety.”

Anyone with information should contact Hamilton Police on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au