Charity's second helicopter will 'save many more lives'

A SECOND air ambulance is set to take the skies of our region after a charity placed an order for a new £7m helicopter that will “save many more lives”.

- By MARK PAGE

The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (LNAA) has secured a spot on the production line in Italy for an AW109 GrandNew which is scheduled to arrive in summer 2027 and be in operation by autumn that year.

LNAA currently attends incidents with one helicopter - its yellow AW169 - but, with doctors, paramedics and pilots responding to an average of four missions a day, doubling the charity's fleet will be a “game changer”.

LNAA’s CEO Karen Jobling said: “We are absolutely delighted to share this incredible news with our supporters.

“The addition of a second helicopter means that we will be able to attend more emergencies, more quickly, and provide critical care to more patients who might not otherwise have access in time. This is truly a life-changing development for the communities we are here to serve.