Air Ambulance in mid air emergency as helicopter forced to land at …
The Wales Air Ambulance was forced to make an emergency landing earlier today (Wednesday) after a bird hit the aircraft. The helicopter landed at Ysbyty Gwynedd[1] in Bangor on its way back from Stoke following an earlier incident in North Wales.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service[2] shared details of the incident with North Wales Live[3], confirming that several engines had rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised. Pictures from the scene at the hospital show the Air Ambulance grounded on the helipad on the outskirts of Bangor[4] as crew members inspect the helicopter.
It later materialised that the 'bird strike' had caused the helicopter to leak fuel, forcing the aircraft down. A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "We did attend, it was due to a bird strike which created a fuel leak.
"We assigned a lot of engines, the only ones who arrived and stayed there were two fire engines, one rescue unit and three officers. The time of call was 11.40am"
One of the fire engines in attendance
The extent of the damage to the helicopter is unclear at this stage. North Wales Live have approached Wales Air Ambulance for comment.
It is believed the aircraft had been returning to its base at Dinas Dinlle near Caernarfon[6] when the incident happened. It is thought the helicopter had previously travelled to Stoke to transfer a casualty to the hospital following a crash between a lorry and a van on the A547 this morning[7].
References
- ^ Ysbyty Gwynedd (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ North Wales Live (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Bangor (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Gates to Anglesey footpath 'used for generations' to stay padlocked shut as villagers lose fight (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Caernarfon (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ transfer a casualty to the hospital following a crash between a lorry and a van on the A547 this morning (www.dailypost.co.uk)