Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s helicopter is offline for its annual service, the charity has confirmed.
The aircraft was flown to Thruxton Airport on 27 September – and work remains ongoing today.
Despite the helicopter being unavailable, critical care medics are still responding to incidents in rapid response vehicles – including a stabbing in Melksham on Friday (6 October).
When an air ambulance is really needed, other charities – including Great Western Air Ambulance and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) will be drafted in to cover.
On 5 October, Thames Valley Air Ambulance attended a cardiac arrest on a Swindon industrial estate, whilst DSAA airlifted a motorcyclist to hospital following a crash near Devizes.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Air Ambulance said: “Our helicopter is on its annual service, which takes place every October. It’s a bit more detailed than your standard car MOT, as you can see from these pictures!
“We are still fully operational to respond to emergencies in our two critical care cars, as well as being supported by neighbouring air ambulances as part our of mutual aid arrangements.”