Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

A 12 month pilot EAS in support of the HSE national ambulance service commenced operations on 4 June 2012. The service is operated by the Air Corps out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. The purpose of the pilot is to determine the extent, if any, of the need for dedicated aeromedical support to emergency ambulances in the region in light of existing road networks and transit times. The service is intended to support the requirements of HSE clinical care programmes such as acute coronary syndrome and stroke. In geographical terms, the primary focus of the service is on the west and north west. However, the service can on occasion respond to incidents elsewhere where aeromedical assistance is an appropriate response given the circumstances of the incident.

From 4 June to date, 11 aeromedical missions have been undertaken. An incident involving the EAS helicopter occurred yesterday afternoon, 19 June. The helicopter, an EC 135, departed Custume Barracks, Athlone, at 1.50 p.m. en route to an emergency call out in County Tipperary. At approximately 2.10 p.m. the helicopter was forced to perform a heavy landing near Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary. Thankfully, the two Air Corps crew and one HSE paramedic on board were uninjured. The patient who was subject to the call-out was transferred to hospital by road. The helicopter has been removed from the site of the incident and is now back in Baldonnel, but the extent of damage to it has yet to be determined.

The air accident investigation unit in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was informed of the incident immediately and was in attendance at the site last evening. The unit will carry out an investigation into the incident. The Air Corps is examining the likelihood of resuming the EAS as soon as possible using an AW 139 aircraft out of Baldonnel. At this stage, it is not possible to say when the service will resume from Custume Barracks, Athlone. Following a preliminary investigation by the air accident investigation unit, this matter will receive further consideration.

It should be emphasised the EAS is a separate service from the air ambulance service provided by the Air Corps to the HSE for inter-hospital transfer of patients with serious injuries and for organ retrieval missions. This service is unaffected by this incident. The aircraft is crewed by an Air Corps pilot and crewman, supported by an Air Corps ground technician. The EC 135 helicopter is a light utility aircraft that is the appropriate platform for an air ambulance given its size and weight. It is used in other EU countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany for air ambulance services.

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