The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has landed on the Embankment in Bembridge this afternoon (Bank Holiday Friday) in response to a medical emergency onboard a houseboat at Bembridge Harbour.
Specialist flying doctors are assisting 2 ambulance crews from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service with treating a seriously injured casualty, who is thought to have suffered a fall on board the boat.
Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team have also been tasked to the scene with Coastguard Officers assisting with the ongoing incident.
UPDATE @ 14:25 – Police and an Ambulance Service Officer are now on scene as the incident escalates.
Full personal protective equipment is being used in this time of nationwide crisis.
UPDATE @ 14:37 – The situation has been declared time critical, resulting in Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter also being scrambled to the scene.
The air ambulance has taken off and is relocating to allow the Coastguard helicopter to land.
The red and white helicopter is now circling overhead as it prepares to touch down. The main road between St Helens and Bembridge has been closed by Police as a result.
UPDATE @ 15:02 – Coastguard Rescue 175 has landed, with doctors and paramedics now preparing to transfer the critically ill patient into the helicopter for onward conveyance to Southampton General Hospital.
Island Echo understands the injured woman fell down a flight of stairs and has sustained a life-threatening head injury.
UPDATE @ 15:35 – The casualty has now been airlifted directly to Southampton thanks to the large-scale multi-agency response.
Embankment has re-opened to all traffic as emergency services stand down.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service were initially called at 13:15.
Hope the person is ok.
Our rescue services are second to none.
Citizen! You really are one mate!!
Anyway, well done guys and my best wishes to the person involved.
Our emergency service here in the uk are simply the best
Hope this women makes a full recovery
Hope she’s okay
Ironically this poor lady would have been safer out walking that staying in.
Accidents happen wherever.
Let’s hope she makes full recovery
Hope she makes a full and speedy recovery.