Devon Air Ambulance launches latest community landing site

Devon Air Ambulance (DAAT) has announced that it has launched its 196th community landing site.

This latest site is in Bideford, East-the-Water at Shamwickshire Rovers AFC ground.

The project with Shamwickshire Rovers AFC and Bideford Town Council has involved the installation of three LED floodlights alongside the football pitch which can be operated remotely in an emergency. This lighting will assist the DAAT crew by illuminating the pitch during landing and takeoff, as well as helping medical teams when carrying and loading a patient into the helicopter.

Sam Stephens, Shamwickshire Rovers AFC Chairman, said: “We’re delighted to announce that The Sham Siro is now officially a Devon Air Ambulance night landing site, only the second in Bideford and the first in East-the-Water, is a huge boost for the area.

“We’re hoping it never has to be used but with a site now in the local vicinity it could potentially be lifesaving to anyone needing it in the surrounding area, something we as a club are proud to be able to offer the community!”

Graham Coates, Landing Site Manager at DAAT, added: “The Football Club have not only enabled new lighting to be installed but have also undertaken work to improve access to and from the site by air ambulance crews and other emergency services who may be on scene.

“The Town Council have readily backed this initiative by providing essential funding towards the lighting solution now in place. A great example of local organisations working together for local people.”

Devon Air Ambulance celebrated 30 years of operations in 2022.