The Wiltshire Air Ambulance helicopter has returned after nearly ten weeks offline.
The yellow and green Bell 429 GlobalRanger was spotted in the skies above the county at around midday today (Sunday) as it was flown back to base in Semington, near Melksham.
Critical care medics have been responding to over 160 emergency calls, including at least two stabbings in Swindon and numerous serious-injury road traffic collisions, in blue-light vehicles.
Other air ambulances have responded to assist the local team where a helicopter is required to airlift someone to hospital – as seen at the now-fatal crash involving a cyclist on the A350 last month.
The Wiltshire aircraft was flown to Thruxton Airport in Hampshire on 27 September, where it was due to be serviced. Work was required, extending its stay until mid-November.
A detailed examination of the helicopter uncovered a need for urgent maintenance. The charity also opted to bring planned maintenance work forward from 2024 to reduce the overall time offline.
However, a vital component that was ordered from abroad was found to have been damaged in transit – and now engineers must await a new delivery.
The part is believed to have been fitted on or before 29 November, with test flights taking place on that date and the 1 December.
Whilst the helicopter is back at base, it’s not clear when it will be available to respond to missions.
