WAA’s helicopter grounded amid poisoning fears
UK air ambulance charity Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) has had its helicopter grounded amid fears that it has been contaminated with nerve agent novichok, after the helicopter was used to transport paramedics that treated two victims who had been poisoned.
UK air ambulance charity Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) has had its helicopter grounded amid fears that it has been contaminated with nerve agent novichok, after the helicopter was used to transport paramedics that treated two victims who had been poisoned.
The aircraft is currently being tested at WAA’s base, along with other emergency vehicles and equipment used for the mission. Although the helicopter did not play a direct role in the response to the poisonings, police felt that the risk of contamination was too high to let the helicopter continue to respond to call outs.
A Wiltshire police spokesperson said: “The highly precautionary process is designed to ensure that no onward contamination has taken place. The risk of this is assessed as low. However, it is essential that no chances are taken, and this is why the work is taking place.”
Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley, the two victims, were poisoned after Sturgess sprayed the nerve agent on her wrists, believing it was perfume.