An air ambulance has been grounded and its base closed to allow specialists to test for the nerve agent novichok following the poisoning of Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley in Wiltshire.
Police accepted that the development would alarm people, but insisted that the measure was only precautionary and that the risk to both the public and emergency personnel remained low.
Testing will take place at the air ambulance base in Semington, near Trowbridge. The helicopter itself, other emergency vehicles and kit worn by responders involved in the initial response to the poisoning of Sturgess and Rowley will be examined. It is not believed that the helicopter played a direct role in the initial response, but some paramedics who went to help the couple may later have flown in the aircraft.
A Wiltshire police spokesperson said: “The highly precautionary process is designed to ensure that no onward contamination has taken place. The risk of this is assessed as low. However, it is essential that no chances are taken, and this is why the work is taking place.”
Deputy chief constable Paul Mills said: “We are very aware that this news might cause some concern to our communities. The work we are undertaking forms part of the wider ongoing response to the incident and is the next logical precautionary step in the process.”
During the period that the helicopter is unable to fly, paramedics and doctors will provide critical care by using rapid response cars. The cars contain the same specialist medical equipment on board the helicopter.
The air ambulance, which is operated by a charity, has flown 435 missions this year. It needs to raise £3.25m a year to keep flying.
Sturgess died after she and Rowley fell ill after coming into contact with novichok at the end of June. Rowley, who continues to recover, has said the nerve agent took just 15 minutes to poison Sturgess after she sprayed the “oily” substance on to her wrists, believing it was perfume he had given her as a gift.
The pair were poisoned four months after former Russan spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury after being poisoned with novichok.
