Suffolk: Air ambulance crews take delivery of new helicopter

MORE lives will be saved as a new air ambulance takes to the skies above Suffolk – the first in the UK to be able to fly at night.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) launched its third helicopter today, welcoming a new era for the life-saving crews.

Until now the charity has only been able to help patients who fell ill or were injured during the hours of daylight.

But the new aircraft means its crew will be able to reach those who need urgent medical treatment during the hours of darkness.

Andrew Egerton Smith, chairman and founder of EAAA, said: “My vision for this vital service is that everything we do is of the highest standard and our mission is to deliver exactly what people need, when they need it.

“We need to constantly innovate and initiate new ideas and, more than anything, we must provide value for money.

“We are the very first air ambulance in the country to be cleared to fly at night and our brand new helicopter has been fitted with state-of-the-art technology to allow night flying.

“Today marks the next big step for us and I anticipate an exciting future where working with us will be a badge of honour for clinicians who will want to join our team to hone their trauma skills and knowledge and that individuals and companies will continue to support our life-saving and life-changing work.”

Earlier this year The Star launched the Lifesaver Appeal, raising more than �10,000 to buy vital equipment to help enable crews to fly at night.

Tim Page, chief executive of EAAA, added: “Our highly-skilled pilot, doctor and critical care paramedic crews deliver an incredible service.

“Our move into night flying means that during the winter months when people drive to and from work in the dark, should an accident or medical emergency happen, we will be there, bringing the hospital emergency room to them, wherever they are in East Anglia.”