View Full Version : Air ambulance in Oxford Street!!
Well not quite, but last Sunday as I was heading toward the square behind John Lewis just north of Oxford St. in London, the very red G-EHMS (one of the newest air ambulances with a jet in place of a rear rotor) came swopping down and after a while, waiting for people to clear the area, landed in a very small spot in the park. All very impressive.
Quite unusual for the public to come into contact with GA so upclose. They stayed there for a time while the paramedics did their job and people were walking to the pilots for a chat and taking a good look at the machine. Thankfully it didn't occur to the local authority figures (some characters with funny uniforms and looking very serious with their walkie-talkies) to evacuate the park.
Mak
FlyingForFun
30th May 2003, 21:17
Hope everyone was ok. Sounds like it all went well, both from an operational point of view, and a PR point of view, from your post.
Not the first time we've seen the air ambulance in those parts though. Remember the nail-bomb that exploded in a gay bar in Soho a few years ago? Seem to recall the air ambulance landed in Soho Square then. Bl00dy annoying - I was meeting some colleagues for dinner in Soho that evening, and planned on relaxing with a beer in the Square beforehand since I'd arrived early, but couldn't get close.
Fantastic job - lots of respect for pilots who put their aircraft down in such inhospitable places.
FFF
-------------
pulse1
30th May 2003, 21:34
FFF,
I'll have you know I can think of a lot of hospitable people in Soho!:ok:
FlyingForFun
30th May 2003, 21:37
I agree, pulse. But I've never met a helicopter which was that way inclined....
pulse1
30th May 2003, 21:41
But it was the pilots you said you respected, FFF.
singaporegirl
30th May 2003, 21:45
FFF,
HOW inconvenient for you - all those injured people messing up your evening...:rolleyes:
FlyingForFun
30th May 2003, 22:33
Hmm, good point, pulse.
Exactly, singaporegirl. Just like people who have car accidents on the roads I'm trying to use... Although seriously, it's a shame that the sight of something as wonderfully fascinating as the air ambulance and its crew nearly always means bad news.
FFF
------------
Hersham Boy
30th May 2003, 23:32
You're talking about Cavendish Square (original post) - and I'm well impressed that someone would get a reasonably sized helo into!
That must be a very exciting and satisfying job!
Hersh
fulham fan
31st May 2003, 00:02
There's a very impressive pic around (PA I think) of the old G-HEMS actually landing in Oxford Street from several years ago. From our offices here in Holborn we've actually seen it land on the road around Lincolns Inn Fields, he'd actually parked in a parking meter space - don't know if he paid though.
COYW
AlanM
31st May 2003, 03:58
HLE 27A - based on the roof of the Royal London Hospital.
Along with the 2 MET POLICE ASU's probably the most professional crews we get to work on Thames/SVFR.
The Helimed flies with 2 crew - in an incredibly hard area to navigate in - and usually we have to keep them low....not above 1000 feet or 800 feet most of the time due to other IFR traffic. Particularly impressive as they fly at over 120 kts when on a shout!!
Must be like the heli equivalent of fast jet flying through the Welsh valleys!!!
Keep up the good work chaps and chapess'!!:)
Heliport
31st May 2003, 21:47
http://www2g.biglobe.ne.jp/~aviation/hems07.jpg
MD902 Explorer has replaced the AS365 Dauphin.
The Dauphin flew over 5,000 hours and some 37,500 take offs and landings. It will spend a sunny retirement in the Caribbean as VIP and tourist transport.
The £4.2 million twin engined Explorer will be based at The Royal London Hospital's rooftop helipad. Sponsored by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin HEMS will be used to transport and treat severely injured patients on around 1,000 missions a year.
Blue Rotor Ronin
1st Jun 2003, 07:20
Bobby P bet that were you... send us nan e-mail if so or no.:ok:
Cheeks
24th Dec 2003, 04:00
I did see G-EHMS close up land in about an 8m gap between a brick wall a small roundabout. A large metal <<< sign ended up just under the rotor arc, is that really safe given the possibility of rotor dip?
Thomas coupling
24th Dec 2003, 06:37
902 rotors don't dip, they're rigid...ish!
Notar fan
24th Dec 2003, 21:03
Setting down in tight spots was exactly what this aircraft was designed to do.
Merry Christmas to all PPruners.........even you PAnews:D
SASless
24th Dec 2003, 21:15
Are we surprised someone got nailed in a Gay bar?;)
My names Turkish
27th Dec 2003, 05:47
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/477441/M/
Heres another one.
"902 rotors don't dip, they're rigid...ish!"
Are they just melting in the London sunshine in that photo then?
Season's Greetings to all.
TeeS
Paracab
29th Dec 2003, 09:04
Is the use of Air ambulances in the UK justified ? I appreciate some distances are large but its not exactly the outback - considering the risks involved...
Governormalfunction
30th Dec 2003, 06:29
Paracab........I'ts easy to question the validiity of a HEMS A/C from the warmth and comfort of your home or office, and comment on the distances we cover. However I can assure you that those poor unfortunate souls who have been airlifted by any one of the HEMS a/C in the UK are more than grateful we were available. Hopefully you won't ever will be.........