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Devon Air Ambulance extend flying hours to 2am

They started night flying in 2016, but only until midnight

The county's air ambulance will now be flying for an extra 2 hours every day. 


DAA’s Chief Executive Heléna Holt, said “This landmark is another step towards our goal of eventually providing Devon with a 24-hour emergency Air Ambulance service.  There isn’t a timescale yet for when this will be, but it remains one of our key objectives.”

 

She also thanked the Charity’s “amazing fundraisers and supporters” who have made the extra flying hours possible. 


Since extending flying hours in 2016, the charity have helped 118 patients in the dark. 


Nigel Hare, DAA’s Operations Director said: “Flying into the hours of darkness isn’t necessarily about flying the patient to hospital. It’s also about getting the right specialist care to the patient, quickly.


“Our community landing sites across the county allow us to land at a pre-surveyed site, with lighting that we can turn on and off by using just a mobile phone, saving vital minutes.  Our doctors and specialist paramedics can administer essential treatment.” 


Heléna Holt added: “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes with parish councils and communities to create a network of community landing sites.  It truly is a testament to our amazing supporters that what seemed a dream just a few years ago has now become reality.”


 

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