Air Ambulance called out 147 times in Lisburn in three years

The Air Ambulance NI, which is based in Lisburn, is still needed on average one or two times daily, and since the service started almost three years ago, 147 of those call outs have been to the local council area.

One patient living in Lisburn is Shaun Attwood, who was in a serious road traffic collision just four weeks after the service became operational.

Shaun had extensive injuries including compression of his L3 vertebrae, a badly damaged wrist which was sitting in the wrong direction, a broken right arm in several places and a torn cruciate ligament in his knee.

“I know that without the services of the air ambulance and the medical team, I just wouldn’t have recovered as well as I have,” said Shaun. “I’m so grateful and would encourage people to do what they can to support AANI, it’s a fantastic charity.”

Glenn O’Rorke, Operational Lead for the HEMS said: “The HEMS team have been tasked on 1487 occasions since inception less than three years ago. Your life can change in an instant, trauma is still here and will continue, despite lockdown and more limited activity in society. Whilst the rate of Road Traffic Collisions has slightly reduced, DIY accidents have increased and the rate of farming, industrial and other accidents has remained. We encourage everyone not to take unnecessary risks, yet we realise accidents happen. If that is the case and we are tasked, the air ambulance can reach anywhere in NI in approximately 25 minutes.”

Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising with Air Ambulance NI, said, “Air Ambulance NI is your local charity. With your continued support our medics can fly and continue to provide specialist critical care at scene that can be the difference between life and death. Each day £5,500 is needed and like every charity, we are experiencing a massive reduction in fundraising. Yet we know your helicopter service inspires support and if everyone does a little the air ambulance will be here now and for generations to come.”

One of the simplest ways to support the charity is by becoming a member of Club AANI. Club AANI members donate monthly through direct debit, so it means once this is set up you are consistently supporting and are part of the journey. Over 800 people so far have become members. You can join at www.airambulanceni.org. or call the charity on 028 9262 2677.