Summary Page 1/2
A Brief
History
Summary
The Air
Crew
 

 
 

From an experimental beginning in 1987, Cornwall's Air Ambulance has since proven itself to be an invaluable addition to the counties' emergency resources. Having completed well over 12,000 missions to all parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the now familiar red helicopter has come to represent a symbol, particularly to those living in the more remote areas,
that, in times of traumatic accident or sudden serious illness, expert help may be only a matter of minutes away, rather than facing the possibility of a road journey taking up two hours to the nearest hospital.

The people of Cornwall have taken the Air Ambulance to their hearts and demonstrated in the most tangible way possible their overwhelming belief in it's benefits to them by financing the service from their own pockets. Taking into account the relatively small head of population and prevalent low average wages in the county, this has been, by any comparison, a remarkable achievement. They are justifiably proud of what they now call "OUR" Air Ambulance and, furthermore, it was the FIRST Air Ambulance, showing that, for once, Cornwall, so often looked upon as the poor relation from "out in the sticks", was showing the rest of the country a lead which others are now following.


The speed and flexibility of the helicopter has provided an extra dimension to the ambulance service's resources in the county. Had it not been available when needed it is certain that a number of the 12,000 odd patients it has transported to hospital would not have survived. Almost as important, it has greatly enhanced the quality of life and long-term recovery prospects of a great many others.