Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is a helicopter air ambulance service for Dorset and Somerset in the England. The air ambulance came into service in March 2000, following the creation of the Cornwall Air Ambulance in 1987. The HQ is based at Taunton Ambulance Station, Taunton, Somerset

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The Aircraft

The helicopter is a Eurocopter EC 135 which flies from AgustaWestland in Yeovil. The helicopter flies at up to 150 kts, can land in an area half the size of a tennis court, and can reach anywhere in the two counties within 19 minutes of an emergency call. It flies with one pilot and two paramedics and can carry two patients on stretchers.

Operations

On average the service receives 3 or 4 calls per day and, as of September 2007, has flown close to 5,000 missions. It is deployed at the request of South Western Ambulance Service and responds mostly to road traffic and horse riding accidents due to the remote locations and the kind of injuries sustained.

The helicopter is leased from Bond Air Services and costs in excess of £3500 per day to run, this money has to be raised largely from charitable donations from the counties of Dorset and Somerset. The charity has a band of loyal volunteers spread across the two counties who work to raise funds to ensure that this vital service continues. It also runs a lottery which at present has over 18,000 members.