SCOTLAND’S Charity Air Ambulance (SCCA) marked its 7000th call out after responding to a road traffic accident in Aberdeenshire.
The charity-funded service, based in both Perth and Aberdeen, raced to an incident near Birkhall on Royal Deeside after a woman was trapped and injured when her van overturned.
A helicopter air ambulance landed in an adjacent field as firefighters were cutting the woman from the wreckage, working with Scottish Ambulance Service crew members to treat the patient before airlifting her to the Major Trauma Centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Russell Mackay, SCAA’s operations manager, said that while the mission marked a milestone for the charity, crew members' thoughts were with the injured woman.
“We’re so pleased SCAA was available to attend for what must have been a painful and anxious experience for the patient and her family,” he said.
“Everyone at SCAA wishes her a speedy and full recovery.”
Mackay noted that the landmark callout happened in what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for the SCAA, Scotland’s only charity-funded air ambulance service.
He added: “The summer always sees a rise in demand for our two helicopters based at Perth and Aberdeen.
“This incident was one of three call outs for the Aberdeen crew that day.
“In the past month alone, our crews have been tasked to attend serious illness and injury on 68 occasions, taking them to all parts of Scotland and to emergencies ranging from industrial and equestrian accidents, road traffic collisions and sports injuries to heart attacks, strokes and falls.”
Mackay said their work at Birkhall this week highlighted the strength of their collaboration with other emergency services to ensure fast, effective patient care.
Reaching their 7000th callout is a moment to “reflect” on the many lives they've impacted and the support they've received along the way, whether working alongside others, or responding alone.
“SCAA believes no one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time and this significant milestone 7000th callout – and the thousands of lives we have saved and impacted on positively during our 12 years in service – is due entirely to the generous support of the public and the many trusts, foundations, businesses and organisations who recognise the vital service we provide,” he added.
“We owe them all a huge debt of gratitude as we mark the 7000 responses made possible by their donations.”
