Meet the 'flying hero' where 'critical care starts in the air'

Next-gen aircraft officially unveiled as tribute is paid to efforts of fundraisers

- Kerry Ashdown

A LIFE-saving helicopter has been called out to 150 emergencies in and around Staffordshire in just six months.

And the Airbus H145 has also clocked up 200 flying hours since becoming part of the fleet used by West Midlands Air Ambulance in locations including Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle and the Moorlands.

And those helped by the flying paramedics have labelled them as heroes as the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity marked the chopper’s landmark milestones after it went airborne on January 1.

Paramedics, former patients and Midlands Air Ambulance Charity staff and volunteers joined dignitaries at the Royal Stoke University Hospital to get up close to the life-saving helicopter.

And two patients who were treated by air ambulance paramedics were among the guests at Friday's event. Cross Heath resident Claire Withington said they saved husband Steve's life.

The 60-year-old, below, was involved in a motorcycle collision in December 2023. He said: “I landed in a ditch and I had two shattered legs, a shattered arm, liver damage and two pulmonary embolisms.

“They took me to Royal Stoke and I had a 14-hour operation. They're my heroes and I have met all of them since.”