EAST MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE

"RTA on A46. Two vehicles involved. One driver seriously injured. Immediate assistance required."

This is just one of the many call outs received by the East Midlands Air Ambulance, every day.

When head or spinal injuries are suspected, it is vital to get the victim to hospital within sixty minutes, this is known as the Golden Hour.

The helicopter is allowed to land almost anywhere

In rush hour in Nottingham, or out bike riding in the countryside, the fastest way to hospital is via the skies.

Reaching speeds of over 150 miles an hour, the pilots are allowed to break normal flying rules and land their aircraft just about anywhere.

Facing its own emergency

But what happens when the Air Ambulance faces its own emergency?

Funding is provided by charitable donations. When a typical air ambulance costs up to £1.2 million to run each year, that's a lot of donations.

"Many people don't realise that most of the air ambulances are funded by regional charities and are not part of the NHS. Some areas are still unable to fly more than five days per week due to lack of funds."

Jon Scourse, Director of the Air Ambulance Association.

Whether or not the helicopter takes to the skies in the future depends largely on people's generosity.

So whether you are out and about in the countryside, or bumper to bumper on the A1, you can feel safe in the knowledge that the air ambulance is close to hand, but for how long?

About the service

In 2001, over 12,600 air ambulance missions were flown across England and Wales.
On average, a regional air ambulance is called out 3 times a day.
A typical air ambulance costs between £700,000 to £1.2m to run each year.
Air Ambulance Day is on 26th September 2002 and aims to raise money to support the service.
47% of call out are for road accidents.