Irish air ambulance in wire strike incident
The Irish Department of Defence (DoD) has confirmed that on 19 June, a helicopter flying as part of the new Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS), operated by the Irish Air Corps on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE), was involved in a heavy landing incident, but could not confirm the extent of damage to the helicopter.
The Irish Department of Defence (DoD) has confirmed that on 19 June, a helicopter flying as part of the new Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS), operated by the Irish Air Corps on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE), was involved in a heavy landing incident, but did not confirm the extent of damage to the helicopter. According to reports by local press, the landing occurred after the aircraft, which had been flying under the EAS for just two weeks, came into contact with electrical power lines. Photographs showed damage to the rear fuselage.
The EC135 had departed Custume Barracks, Athlone at 13.50 hrs and was en route to an emergency call out in Tipperary. At 14.10 hrs, the helicopter was forced to perform a heavy landing near Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary. Two Air Corps crew and one HSE paramedic onboard were uninjured. As the aircraft was unable to complete the mission, the patient subject to the call-out was transferred to hospital by road.
The Department of Defence stated that the Air Accident Investigation Unit in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was informed of the incident, and that contingency plans were being put in place to resume the EAS service as soon as possible.
Image: An Irish Air Corps EC135 / Ross Murphy