The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has landed behind a property in Ryde this lunchtime (Monday) in response to a life-threatening medical emergency.
It was around 11:00 that the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service responded to a property on Bullen Road, dispatching an ambulance, a critical care paramedic and an operational commander to the scene.
The severity of the situation led to the scrambling of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance from its current base at Thruxton, touching down in a field behind the detached family home at around 11:40.
UPDATE @ 12:51 – The air ambulance has lifted off from Ryde, relocating to the helipad at St Mary’s Hospital.
The patient has been rushed by land ambulance to St Mary’s.
I am just wondering what exactly does an Operational Commander do in these circumstances? We seem to struggle with our ambulance service at times but have enough staff and vehicles for these Operational Commanders who seem to be despatched to many incidents. Just interested to know.