Dr John Hinds: Medic's family plans to set up air ambulance charity

The family of Dr John Hinds, who died in a motorcycle crash on 4 July, said they "passionately believe" in his dream of a dedicated air ambulance service

The family of the late motorcycle medic Dr John Hinds has announced plans to set up a charity to support his vision of a Northern Ireland air ambulance.

Dr Hinds died as the result of a motorcycle crash earlier this month, while providing medical cover at a road racing meeting in County Dublin.

The 35-year-old was known as a "flying doctor" of Irish motorcycle sport.

His family said it may take months to set up a helicopter fund but added they "passionately believe" in his dream.

To date, more than 50,000 people have signed a petition, calling on Northern Ireland's health ministry to establish an air ambulance in honour of Dr Hinds.

'Survival rates'

Originally from Portaferry, County Down, the medic had been a high-profile campaigner for a dedicated emergency helicopter service.

For his day job, he worked as a consultant at Craigavon Area Hospital in County Armagh, but at weekends he volunteered as a motorcycling medic on Ireland's road racing circuit.

Dr Hinds was killed in an accident while providing medical cover at the Skerries 100

Just weeks before his death, Dr Hinds told the BBC that an air ambulance service was essential and would be "a game-changer in terms of trauma provision".

In a public letter published on Tuesday, his family said they "passionately believe in maintaining his dream that Northern Ireland should have a first-rate trauma network with a doctor-led helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) at its core, so that our survival rates are improved and more lives can be saved".

'Biking fraternity'

The letter added: "It remains our dearly-held wish that John's unique call-sign of 'Delta 7' is once again heard over the ambulance service airways as the HEMS helicopter is cleared to land on the helipad of the roof of the Royal Victoria Hospital, or in a field or country lane to provide life-saving medical intervention to anyone in need."

The letter was signed by the medic's partner, Dr Janet Acheson as well as Dermot, Josephine, Peter and Colin Hinds.

They also thanked the biking fraternity for including Dr Hinds and his partner in their motorcycling "family".

After his fatal accident at the Skerries 100 practice session on 4 July, motorcyclists formed a convoy along the Dublin-to-Belfast motorway, as his remains were brought back to Northern Ireland.

Motorcyclists joined the cortege as a tribute to the man known as one of Irish motorsports 'flying doctors'

The online petition calls for the establishment of a dedicated air ambulance in Northern Ireland as a "lasting tribute for an exceptional man".

His family also asked the public to donate blood in tribute to Dr Hinds, while preparations take place to launch an official trust or charity fund.