The first weekend of operations for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) proved to be a baptism of fire.
The publicly-funded helicopter was sent out on three missions over a 48-hour period, quickly proving how vital the new service is.
On Saturday the Perth-based crew rushed to Blair Atholl when a youngster’s fun in the sun almost turned to tragedy. They received reports of a 10-year-old boy who suffered serious head injuries after falling off his bike as he rode down a hill.
Covering the 40-mile journey in minutes, the helicopter took its young casualty to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where his condition is not believed to be life-threatening.
Although the rest of the day proved quiet for the team, the next 24 hours were a different matter. The first call of Sunday saw the crew fly more than 100 miles to Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway just before 11.30am.
An equestrian event at Boreland Farm in Dunscore had gone badly wrong when a rider fell off her horse, with the drama further compounded when the animal toppled on to the stricken woman.
Details of her injuries were not disclosed but she was taken straight to Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. No sooner had Helimed 76 stopped to refuel at Cumbernauld on the return journey to Perth, when it was summoned once again.
Despite being around 60 miles away, the crew were despatched to the caravan park at Inver, near Dunkeld, after the control room received reports of a patient suffering chest pains.
By the time they arrived back in Perthshire, however, the team were stood down after being advised the casualty would be transferred to Ninewells Hospital by ambulance.
SCAA chief executive Gavin Davey told The Courier the weekend’s activities showcased the capabilities of the new helicopter.
“The last few days have demonstrated the long range we can operate across Scotland,” he said. “Some jobs are local and some are national.
“Already we have travelled to the west coast, Fife, Dumfries and Galloway and Highland Perthshire.”
Based at Perth Airport, SCAA operates 10 hours a day, seven days a week, and is called out through the 999 emergency service.
Launched in December, the helicopter is the first in the country to be funded solely by donations from the community and will cost between £1.5 million to £1.7m each year to maintain, providing emergency services cover for the whole of Scotland.