Hovertravel services have been suspended as the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance touches down in Ryde this morning (Thursday) in response to a life-threatening medical emergency on board the hovercraft.
It was shortly before 11:15 that emergency services were called to Hovertravel’s Ryde terminal on the Esplanade when a passenger on board the inbound Island Flyer hovercraft from Southsea became seriously unwell.
The situation is such that the support of the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance – Helimed 21 – has been requested, with the out-of-area helicopter touching down just metres away from the scene of the emergency on the hover pad at Ryde.
Flying medics are now working with paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and firefighters from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to treat and attempt to stabilise the patient.
All Hovertravel services to and from the Isle of Wight are suspended until further notice, with an update not due before 12:30.
Tickets are being accepted on Wightlink’s Fastcat service between Ryde Pier Head and Portsmouth Harbour in the meantime.
Police have also responded to the incident.
In total, 4 police vehicles are on scene alongside an ambulance crew, critical care paramedic, operational commander and a fire engine.
UPDATE @ 12:23 – A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has said:
“We were called at 11.01am today, 9 April, by our colleagues in the ambulance service to reports of a medical incident at the Hovertravel, Quay Road.
“Officers attended to assist”.
UPDATE @ 12:42 – The patient has been airlifted directly to the helipad at Queen Alexandra Hospital this lunchtime, bringing the incident to a close.
Hovertravel services will resume at 13:15 from Ryde and 13:30 from Southsea.
What on earth merits 4 police cars, the access is a private service road and all the police will do is get in the way
Could be out catching speeding motorists
Oh great. Catch the speeding motorists at all costs. Don’t wory if someone dies in the meantime as long as you can issue a ticket to a car driver. What an appalling thing to suggest.
Does it matter how many emergency staff were in attendance. This is someones life we are talking about. What a stupid petty comment to make. I wish the patient a speedy recovery it must have been very frightening.
Guessing non tax payer.
I totally agree with you Skippy. I bet if it was a relative of Reg Dennis’s he would want the area totally cleared for the emergency services to work easily. I hope the patients will make a good recovery. Thanks to the emergency services for their efforts.
Yes, it very much matters.
Typical overkill of resources… Why 4 when one would be enough, if atall…
Having been on the receiving end recently, I wouldn’t care how many people turned up to help. The important thing is that there is a satisfactory outcome. Would you turn resources away if it happened to you?
Very true, some people wait hours or even days
for an Ambulance to show up in 2026
Britain
a wise person speaks when they have something to say, a fool speaks because they have to say something – we know which category you are in reg
imbecile
Enough about yourself
Nice
Which bit of life threatening emergency didn’t you understand?