A MERCY dash, a mercurial airlift and good hearted joke has got a relief supply helicopter pilot in Hela and Southern Highland’s emergency lined up for a special honour.

The expectant mother he airlifted safely to the Mendi General Hospital has promised to name her newborn child Paula or Paulo after Captain Paul Boga, the helicopter pilot who saved their lives yesterday.

Captain Boga and fellow flier Captain Eric Aliawi were enroute from Mount Hagen in Western Highlands to deliver relief supplies at Muluma at the foot of Mount Bosavi in Southern Highlands when they received a medical emergency call.

Capt Boga left Capt Aliawi to continue the relief runs while he diverted his Heli Solutions chopper to pick up the woman, who was undergoing labour pains at Mona village.

Captain Boga said last night from Hagen: “We landed at Muluma and were told that a pregnant mother is in labour pains after her water broke just before we touched down.

“There were two earthquakes at night and 3 big tremors this morning giving the mother an early start to her agony for delivery.

“I had to abandon the food delivery job to Capt Aliawi to continue while I decided to do the medivac. “The lady was in another village close to Muluma, at Mona so I hoped over to the village and picked her up.

“The trip was only 30 minutes flight time but we had to overfly Moro camp, bad weather and mountains to get to Mendi.

Capt Boga put down his chopper at Mendi to discharge the patient without any complications and handed her over to hospital staff.

“I asked the other lady, who accompanied her if she has been to Mendi and she said that this was her first trip ever, let alone a chopper ride!”

Capt Boga said this was not surprising as they live at the foot of Mt Bosavi which is closer to Western Province but are part of Southern Highlands .

“The expectant mother is willing to name the baby either Paula if female or Paulo if male after I jokingly offered the names.”

Captain Boga promised to visit her today when he stops over in Mendi.

The Post-Courier will keep you updated on the name.