Page 6 - link magazine

WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance’s new
helicopter was quickly pressed into New air ambulance helicopter
action on its first day of operation,
Friday 9 January, when the first duty takes to the skies to serve county
crew were tasked with airlifting a
patient from a road traffic accident
outside Cirencester.
Within hours of being given
clearance to fly missions, the new
Bell helicopter took off from the
air ambulance base in Devizes and
arrived on the scene 11 minutes
later.
Air ambulance critical care
paramedics Richard Miller and
Ross Culligan worked with land
ambulance paramedics to treat a
26 year old man trapped in a truck
on the scene. After fire fighters
freed the man from the vehicle, the
patient was flown to Great Western The team who flew and supported the first mission with the new air ambulance outside the GWH.
Hospital in just five minutes. Rear from left: Steve Riddle, pilot George Lawrence, Ross Culligan. Front :Jo Munday and Richard Miller
Paramedic Richard Miller said:
“We were pleased to assist our aircraft shared with Wiltshire Police David Philpott, chief executive WAA is a charity which relies
land ambulance colleagues and is fitted out with the most up of WAA, said: “Our best wishes go entirely on public donations to keep
in treating and to date Aerolite equipment to the patient airlifted on our first airborne. Now that it is entirely
transporting the The service is day. It’s thanks to the people of independent, it has to meet an
to meet the highest
patient. All the available up to 19 helicopter emergency Wiltshire who raise money for us annual cost of £2.5 million, that’s
crew are proud to hours a day, 365 days a medical service (HEMS) that keeps Wiltshire Air Ambulance £6,850 per day.
serve on Wiltshire year. Later in 2015 WAA specification. flying and delivering the best At wiltshireairambulance.co.uk
Air Ambulance.” will move to 24 hour Carrying two critical possible medical care to people in you can see video stories from
WAA is the first coverage, one of the few care paramedics, the need.” people who explain how the service
air ambulance in Britain able to helicopter also flies faster Funded by you, flying for you is has made a real difference to their
charity to operate the respond 24/7 making rapid response to the slogan printed on the fuselage lives. And find out how you can get
Bell 429 helicopter. The any incident within Wiltshire of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance involved in helping WAA continue
interior is larger than the previous achievable within minutes. helicopter. its vital service.

6 swindonlink.com n February 2015