32 missions in a week for Cornwall Air Ambulance crew

The crew of Cornwall Air Ambulance has had a busy week, responding to 32 missions across the county. From Monday 19 November until Monday 26 November, the crew flew 19 missions in the air ambulance helicopter and responded to 13 emergencies in the critical care cars.

More than half of the call-outs were to medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, strokes and several patients who were having difficulty breathing. Three missions were to help babies who needed immediate medical care.

In one instance on Monday 26 November, the charity’s paramedics were called to a female cyclist in Lostwithiel who suffered a head injury. The patient was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

On Sunday 25 November, the crew were called in to action when a teenager fell from a horse in the St Austell area. The horse rider received medical care from the crew before being flown to Derriford for further treatment.

The statistics are revealed as the charity launches an appeal on Giving Tuesday- an international day of supporting charities- to ask for more support to bring a new air ambulance to Cornwall.

Amy Richards, New Heli Appeal Manager, said: “It’s been an extremely busy week for our crew, they’ve responded to an average of four calls a day to urgent medical emergencies.

“As the number of missions increase, so does the need for a new air ambulance. We need your help to reach more people in their hour of need. That’s why we’re asking the people of Cornwall to support the New Heli Appeal in any way they can.”

Donate to the New Heli Appeal online here.