The life saving Kent Air Ambulance took delivery of a new helicopter on Saturday.

 

The state of the art MD 902 Explorer will be based at Dunsfold Park on the Surrey/Sussex borders. It is a sister helicopter for the one based at Marden and is fitted with the latest medical and electronic mapping equipment.

 

A new Air Ambulance service for Surrey and Sussex was launched in June this year with a Bolkow helicopter, following successful appeals in both Counties.

 

Operations manager John Tickner said 'It has always been our intention to upgrade the helicopter at Dunsfold to an Explorer. There are very few of this type of aircraft available and we are delighted to have finally taken delivery. The unique no tail rotor design, higher payload and more cabin space and of course its speed make it a much better aircraft for Air Ambulance work than the Bolkow.'

 

The Air Ambulance for Surrey and Sussex augments the existing emergency medical services in those Counties and works alongside the helicopter in Kent. Since the new base was launched at Dunsfold it has answered over 200 medical emergencies with its specialist doctor and critical care paramedic.

 

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