A surge in emergencies over the August bank holiday weekend contributed to the busiest month of the year so far for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
The charity’s doctors, pilots and paramedics responded to 250 missions throughout August 2026 – the highest monthly total since July 2025. During the Bank Holiday weekend (29th–31st August), the teams were deployed an average of 8 times a day.
Significant incidents attended by the crew included road traffic collisions, cardiac arrests and accidental injuries. Almost 15% of patients treated by the service were given a pre-hospital anaesthetic, which can be used to induce a coma as part of their emergency treatment.
Earlier in the year, the June heatwave also led to a 20% week-on-week increase in deployments for the charity.
Now responding from its new purpose-built airbase near Southampton Airport, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has so far responded to 1,650 emergencies across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and surrounding areas in 2026.
Nick Gray, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Paramedic Clinical Lead, said:
“It has been a year of change and growth for everyone at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. What has, and always will, stay the same is our commitment to responding to patients in their greatest hour of need.
“These latest figures are testament to the dedication of our crews, who continuously give their all to give patients the best possible chance of making it home to their loved ones.
Article continues below this advertisement “But none of this would be possible without the incredible support of people across our communities. Every mission we attend is made possible by the generosity of our supporters, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they do to help us be there when patients need us most.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is the charity that delivers an advanced Critical Care Team to sick and injured people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight when they need it most.
Available both day and night, 365 days a year, the Air Ambulance Critical Care Team is called out an average of seven times a day to attend road traffic collisions, sporting accidents, collapses and many other incidents.
Donate today to help make their next mission possible.
