Devon Air Ambulance opens another night landing site
Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) has established a new night landing site at the Stantyway Recreation Field in Otterton, in partnership with Otterton Football Club and the local parish council
The landing site features a new LED lighting column with a remote control which will enable the floodlights to be activated remotely by the air ambulance charity’s helicopter.
The new lights will enable DAAT aircraft to safely land and take off from the recreation field’s football pitch during the hours of darkness, as well as providing additional lighting for medical teams in safely carrying and loading patients into the helicopter.
Speaking to local newspaper the Exmouth Journal, one parish council spokesperson said: “Whilst we sincerely hope that the site is seldom used it gives the ability, in times of need, for medical teams to reach local patients and, if necessary, transport them by air to a specialist hospital avoiding the time taken when navigating the busy lanes and roads around Otterton, especially in the summer months.
“We are enormously grateful to the local sponsors who helped to make this happen including county councillors Christine Channon and Claire Wright, Ladram Bay Holiday Park, KACH Developments and Budleigh Salterton Lions,” the Councillor added.
DAAT also announced the establishment of a similar night landing site at Tavistock Football Club’s Langsford Park playing grounds earlier this month.