LAA responds after UK terror attack
On 22 March, a London’s Air Ambulance landed in Parliament Square, London, UK, after a fatal attack that is being treated as a terrorist incident.
On 22 March, a London’s Air Ambulance (LAA) landed in Parliament Square, London, UK, after a fatal attack that is being treated as a terrorist incident. The HEMS charity said its advanced trauma team worked with London Ambulance personnel to treat multiple casualties.
At the time of writing, local media have reported that four people had died and 40 have been left injured after a man drove a car along the pavement of Westminster Bridge and then entered the Parliament complex on foot. One of those killed was Police Constable Keith Partner, who was stabbed as officers tackled the attacker.
In a statement released by LAA, Dr Gareth Davies, the charity’s medical director and a consultant at Barts Health NHS Trust said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends, families and colleagues of those who lost their lives or were injured at the tragic incident in Westminster yesterday. Our team worked alongside other emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service, the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade, to assess and treat multiple casualties. I would like to thank all of our team who were involved, whether directly or indirectly, and commend the London Ambulance Service for their management of a highly complicated scene.”
Davies also expressed the service’s gratitude to the members of the public and medical professionals who ‘showed courage and strength by rallying together to help in what must have been the most frightening ordeal’.
He continued: “We have been blown away by the generosity of Londoners who have, in less than 24 hours, donated £10,000 to the London’s Air Ambulance charity. We are a service for Londoners, funded by Londoners. London is a great city and we all stand together, especially in difficult times.”
Another of the LAA team, Dr Tony Joy, was interviewed by the BBC Breakfast television programme on 23 March. See below.
Dr Tony Joy @LDNairamb talks to Charlie & @SallyNugent on "an awful day" but says that "it's a privilege to do the job". pic.twitter.com/z5odXcGZX5
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) March 23, 2017