New helicopter for air ambulance crew

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has received a new "state of the art" helicopter, increasing its fleet from two to three.

The charity said the H145 D3 was "one of the most advanced models of its kind" and would strengthen its ability to provide emergency care around the region.

The investment was made possible by the support and commitment of donors.

Steve Waudby, the director of aviation at YAA, said it was a "pivotal moment" for the team and would allow them to provide "uninterrupted emergency response coverage".

The new model has a five-blade main rotor that reduces vibrations, ensuring a smoother ride for patients.

It has on-board wi-fi and a secure communication system, which allows the crew to transmit patient data to hospitals in real time.

This feature enables the hospital teams to prepare for a patient's arrival, which saves time in critical situations.

A wheeled stretcher system is designed to make the loading and unloading of patients easier and faster.

As an independent charity, YAA relies entirely on financial contributions from donors.

"Their continued commitment ensures that we can invest in state-of-the-art resources, like this new helicopter, and maintain the highest level of pre-hospital critical care," a YAA spokesperson said.

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