Snow: air ambulance beats the weather

The pilot, specialist doctor and paramedic braved snow and freezing temperatures to get to their base on the West Sussex/Surrey borders to ensure that the helicopter was operational.

During the last heavy snowfalls in January this year, the charity continued to provide an Air Ambulance service and some members of the crew slept over at the base for up to 5 nights.

This year the Air Ambulance the helicopter has attended over 600 medical emergencies. The service which is almost entirely funded by public donations flies during daylight hours, 365 days a year.

Adrian Bell, Chief Executive of the Sussex Air Ambulance said ‘At times such as this it is even more important that we are able to respond to severe medical emergencies. The dedication of our crews in travelling to work in such extreme weather conditions and sleeping at the base when necessary is exemplary and I am proud to be a part of this organisation.’