Significant delays are building for motorists heading into Newport this morning (Wednesday) as the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and other emergency services respond to a serious incident at Blackwater.
Rush hour traffic is backed up to Arreton as a result of the ongoing emergency near to Newclose Cricket Ground, on the A3020 Blackwater Road, with delays also extending on Blackwater Hollow towards Rookley.
It was just gone 08:00 that emergency crews were alerted to the situation – thought to be a medical emergency – with the air ambulance scrambled from its base at Thruxton.
The helicopter has landed in a field at the roadside, with flying medics now tending to those involved alongside colleagues from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.
A second, less significant incident has also occurred at the Merstone turn-off on the A3056. Island Echo is told that a 3-car shunt is adding to the problems at the junction with Merstone Lane.
Elsewhere in Newport, traffic is heavy on Staplers Road with queues back to the old Lavender Farm, at the junction with Blacklands Lane.
UPDATE @ 09:13 – The air ambulance has lifted from the scene and has now stood down from the incident, returning directly to base.
Police are working to manage the flow of traffic with delays now reducing.
Another complete waste of air ambulance time and money..whos making these stupid over reacting decisions. Yes before i hear ” well it could have been needed” does that mean every ”shunt” its going to be called out. I have now stopped my funding, shame as it was a good idea in practice ruined by ”look at me” emergency workers calling it out unnessacarily.
There are too many shunts on the island.
Speed cameras would solve that problem.
You really are a cracked record. How on earth would speed cameras stop a shunt? You seem strangely obsessed with CCTV for someone who is (healthily) sceptical of authoritarian control
They were trying to save a very dear friends life which is what I thought was their purpose . They are brilliant and one day they might just save yours.
It wasn’t because of a ‘shunt’, someone was mortally ill and did require the most urgent critical care when it was summoned..
How can some be so insensitive at such a sad time
How can someone be so insensitive at such a sad time.