Life-saving charity needs second helicopter

The charity's helicopter flew 2,909 missions across Somerset and Dorset last year

A charity which saves lives on a daily basis needs a second helicopter to move to 24-hour operations, its CEO said.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance does not fly between 02:00 and 07:00 BST, as its sole helicopter receives maintenance during that time.

Speaking to BBC Somerset, CEO Charles Hackett said: "Our engineers are great at working overnight, but sometimes it can't always be done in that time."

The charity's helicopter flew 2,909 missions across the two counties last year

The charity has paid a deposit with helicopter manufacturer Leonardo to build a second aircraft, which will be ready and kitted out in about two years.

But it still needs to raise a "few million pounds" to pay for it.

"Because the amount we're flying it, we have to check the aircraft every day," Mr Hackett said.

"There's a lot of unplanned issues that have the biggest impact on our flying.

"The more miles you do, the more likely these issues occur.

"With a second aircraft we could be out within half an hour if we got this call and our first one was being repaired," he added.

Their current helicopter is about seven years old.

'Mobile intensive care'

Over the years, the air ambulance has changed from a regular flying ambulance to a mobile intensive care unit.

"The level of intensive care you can usually only get inside a hospital.

"We bring that to the field, to the roadside, to the workplace, to wherever the incident occurs.

"Every day I know we went out and made a difference to someone who didn't know they needed us.

"We save lives and nothing feels as good as that," Mr Hackett added.