Second Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance helicopter set to expand lifesaving reach
The UK service has introduced a second Leonardo AW169 helicopter, expected to increase its emergency response capacity by over 150 patients annually
A second air ambulance helicopter has entered service in Dorset and Somerset, southwest England, with the charity operator expecting it to extend its reach to more than 150 additional patients each year.
The Leonardo AW169 twin-engine helicopter will operate alongside the charity’s existing aircraft, Peggy, marking a significant expansion of its helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) capability.
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance said the additional aircraft formed part of efforts to meet rising demand, with operational activity having tripled over the past decade.
The charity said the two-aircraft model would also support future plans to extend operating hours beyond its current 19-hour-a-day, year-round service, subject to funding and operational requirements.
It added that existing pilots and critical care teams would crew the new helicopter, maintaining continuity across its fleet.
The launch follows a £670,000 fundraising effort towards the charity’s £1 million ‘2ndHeli Appeal’, supported by thousands of local residents and businesses. A community naming campaign is due to open later in June, allowing supporters to contribute to the aircraft’s identity.
The charity is also preparing to relocate its base to Leonardo Helicopters’ airfield in Yeovil, Somerset, as it adapts to increasing demand for pre-hospital emergency care across the region.
Charles Hackett, Chief Executive of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, said the arrival of the aircraft represented a “major step forward” in the organization’s ability to reach patients more quickly.
He added that the expansion reflected strong community support, noting that public fundraising had been central to bringing the second helicopter into service.
The service operates across the counties of Dorset and Somerset, providing critical care and rapid transport for patients with life-threatening injuries and medical emergencies.
Image courtesy of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance