WILTSHIRE’S new £5m air ambulance helicopter went into service yesterday.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance was given the go-ahead for the helicopter, a Bell 429, to undertake Helicopter Emergency Medical Service missions following a visit by the Civil Aviation Authority on Thursday.

The Bell 429 is a dedicated air ambulance, after WAA’s 24-year partnership with Wiltshire Police for a shared helicopter came to an end New Year’s Eve. Wiltshire Police has joined the National Police Air Service.

WAA head of operations Kevin Reed said: “We are delighted that we have received clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority and our state of the art helicopter has begun operating as an air ambulance. We are pleased to be pioneering a brand new helicopter in the UK as this means the people of Wiltshire will be benefiting from the best available technology and the experience of some of the country’s leading pilots.

“This is a new and exciting era for the charity to operate a dedicated air ambulance with two critical care paramedics onboard. Our paramedics deliver gold standard patient care and the helicopter can reach anywhere in Wiltshire within 11 minutes. All the crew and charity staff are proud to serve the public.”

WAA is leasing the Bell 429 helicopter from Heli Charter.

The air ambulance will operate during daytime hours initially and night flying is due to commence in late spring.