The Thames Valley Air Ambulance has made a rare emergency dash to the Isle of Wight in response to an ongoing emergency in the West Wight this evening (Thursday).
It was just before 17:20 that the helicopter touched down at Stroud Playing Field in Freshwater, having lifted off from RAF Benson near Oxford.
Specialist medics have joined paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service at an address in the local area – at nearby Sunset Close.
2 paramedics crews, a critical care paramedic and an operational commander are on scene, now joined by the flying doctors.
It is unusual to see Thames Valley Air Ambulance on the Isle of Wight, indicating the severity of the situation.
It is the second time this week that the out-of-county service has been deployed to the Island. Earlier this week a transfer was carried out from St Mary’s Hospital to St George’s Hospital, London.
UPDATE @ 19:35 – More than 2 hours after landing, the air ambulance has taken off from Freshwater – en-route to Southampton General Hospital.
… or maybe it’s because HIOW Air Ambulance is on a shout in Kent.
The Air Ambulances do a great job nationwide.