Air ambulance crew drop in to school between emergencies

The hard-working crew of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) took a well-earned break to meet the local community.

Helimed 76 paid a quick visit to a summer fair at the RDM Primary School in Scone on Saturday, although it was still ready for duty.

More than 1,000 people enjoyed the sight of the distinctive helicopter flying overhead before landing in the school grounds. It was still a busy weekend for the team as they completed four missions between Friday and Sunday.

A spokesperson for SCAA said: “All five paramedics have now been operational and have experience of going out on missions one of them was even on his first shift when Helimed 76 was called out.”

Based at Perth Airport, SCAA operates 10 hours a day, seven days a week and is tasked through the 999 emergency service.

Launched in December last year, 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 £1.7 million each year to maintain, providing emergency services cover for the whole of Scotland.