An Isle of Wight charity has completed its 12,000th air rescue mission.
Since its first take off on 1 July 2007, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has responded to more than 17,500 emergency missions across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and surrounding areas by air and road.
These included cardiac arrests, falls from height and assaults.
One of the 12,000 patients saved via air rescue was Steph Blake — who became a volunteer for the charity after being hit by a car near her home in Totton.
Steph, who was 20 at the time, had sustained a severe head injury and was critically ill.
She urgently needed specialist critical care intervention, with the team flying to Steph to be by her side within eight minutes of the first 999 call.
Steph continues on her road to recovery and has started volunteering for the life-saving charity.
She said:
“I am still alive because of the remarkable team that flew to me — I couldn’t be more thankful to them for giving me a second chance at life.
"Every time I see the helicopter fly overhead, tears build up in my eyes.
"I love volunteering for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance as this has given me an opportunity to thank the service for still being here today.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance CEO Richard Corbett said:
“To reach 12,000 flights is a remarkable achievement.
"Nobody knows if or when they’re going to need an air ambulance, and for many of those patients it will be the worst day of their lives.
"But thanks to the extraordinary dedication and generosity of our supporters, we can try and make that day slightly better and give those patients the best possible chance of survival and recovery.”
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