Northumberland Air Ambulance cover reinstated

Posted by The Journal on Oct 21, 09 09:37 AM in News

Air Ambulance cover for the region has been reinstated.

Fears for families in more remote parts of the North East were raised when the Great North Air Ambulance announced its fleet of helicopters would be grounded over the weekend.

Bad luck and coincidence of timing were blamed for technical faults on the Cumbria and Northumberland aircraft occurring just as the lease of the Teesside helicopter expired.

Yesterday the charity, which is entirely reliant on public donations to continue operating, confirmed one of the helicopters had been returned to it.

A minor fault on the Northumberland craft had successfully been repaired, and it had been returned to its base, near Otterburn. A spokesperson said: "We are delighted to confirm the Great North Air Ambulance is back online.

Our Northumberland helicopter has been fixed and returned to us. We were always aware it was a minor fault. It was just unfortunate the it was timed while our other two aircraft were unavailable.

"It is testimony to the high standard of safety checks our aircraft must pass before they can fly, a new part had to be found."

Over the weekend the charity announced its intention to try and buy its own helicopter for the first time. It's fleet is currently leased.

The GNAA have put early cost estimates at more than £1m, but believe the region could benefit greatly from the move.

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