There are a number of air ambulance services in the United Kingdom using either helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. Thirty helicopters, all operated by charitable organizations, cover England and Wales. Two helicopters and fixed wing aircraft are operated by the Scottish Ambulance Service, whose air wing is the only publicly funded air ambulance in the UK.[1] Funds are currently being sought to enable a similar service to be operated in Northern Ireland.[2]
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Notable incidents involving air ambulances
On 26 July 1998, the three man crew of the Kent Air Ambulance died when the aircraft collided with power lines and crashed in a field in Burham, near Rochester airport.[3][4] Initial investigation established no definitive cause for the crash, due to the fireball produced on impact. Controversy ensued when the pilot's employers, Police Aviation Services, denied liability. On 19 February 2004, following a civil case brought by the pilot's widow to the High Court in Manchester, it ruled that the crash was caused by mechanical failure, not as suggested flying low for fun, and ordered compensation to be paid.[5]
On 15 March 2005, a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft operated by Loganair crashed into the sea while descending toward Campbeltown Airport in western Scotland. The aircraft was operating an air ambulance flight on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service. The pilot and paramedic both died in the crash.[6]
List of Air Ambulances in the United Kingdom
See also
References
- ^ "Amazing Facts about your Air Ambulance". Association of Air Ambulances. http://www.airambulanceassociation.co.uk/amazing_facts.php. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
- ^ "Saving Lives". Ireland Air Ambulance. http://www.irelandairambulance.org/saving.aspx. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
- ^ Helicopter crash kills three BBC News, 27 July 1998
- ^ "AAIB Bulletin No: 2/2000" (PDF). Air Accidents Investigation Branch. http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources/dft_avsafety_pdf_500724.pdf. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
- ^ Air ambulance crash pilot cleared BBC News, 19 February 2004
- ^ Air crew search called off BBC News, 15 March 2005
- ^ Launch date announcement - All Ireland Air Ambulance website
External links
- www.AirAmbulanceCharities.co.uk - The Association of Air Ambulance Charities
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