Shropshire air ambulances back in action

Three of Shropshire's air ambulances were today due back in the air after being grounded for three days amid safety fears.

The Midlands Air Ambulances were among 22 across the country grounded on Sunday.

The decision was made as a precaution because of concerns about possible cracks in rotor blades.

A replacement aircraft was flown in yesterday to provide emergency cover, but bosses said the three aircraft had since been given the all clear to fly from 7am today.

Of the three air ambulances operating in Wales, only the helicopter based at Welshpool has been flying over the last three days.

The Eurocopter EC 135 helicopters are owned and maintained by Bond Air Services.

A spokesman for the Midlands Air Ambulance confirmed that all three helicopters – which provide emergency cover across Shropshire,

Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands – had been inspected and no cracks had been found.

He said Bond had agreed to restart flights but daily checks would be carried out on the potentially affected area until they were replaced by Eurocopter.

The spokesman added: "Safety has to be the number one consideration for both patients and staff and we understand why Bond took the decision they did.

"However, it is important to note that at no time did the region not have access to air ambulance aircraft."

A Bond spokesman said a safety notice was issued by Eurocopter on Sunday. Eurocopter did not order that the fleet be grounded, but Bond felt compelled to take that decision.