19 Sep 2014
As National Air Ambulance Week gets underway, London’s Air Ambulance is releasing incident figures from 1st January to 31st August 2014 to enhance public understanding of the service we provide for London.
So far this year, we have treated 1,144 patients. Incident types were as follows:
•354 road traffic collisions; of which 133 were pedestrians hit by vehicles; 78 were motorcyclists; and 45 were pedal cyclists
•307 falls from height
•282 stabbings and shootings
•201 other — including incidents on the rail networks & industrial incidents
Postcode breakdown reveals E14, NW10 and W1 have been the busiest three locations for the charity this year.
Graham Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer of London’s Air Ambulance, said: “Road traffic collisions continue to account for a large proportion of our work and sadly we are treating an average of 6 pedal cyclists hit by vehicles each month. We treat some of the most critically injured people in London and unfortunately one of the sickest patient groups are these cyclists who have been injured by large vehicles. We will continue to pioneer medical advancements to give our patients the best possible chance of survival.
“Making London’s roads as safe as possible for cyclists and other road users is a daily challenge for The Mayor. We hope the proposed new measures will help to reduce the number of casualties and will be following these plans with interest.”
National Air Ambulance Week
Air Ambulance charities across the country are once again coming together to celebrate National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW) which takes place between 22nd to 28th September 2014.
NAAW is an initiative created by the Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) and celebrates the work of your local air ambulance, giving them a national voice and an opportunity to promote the work they do at a local level.
On average, an emergency air ambulance takes off every 10 minutes in the UK, flying 365 days a year. Put another way, during every hour of everyday 7 Air Ambulances are attending incidents of various types including trauma
Together, the UK’s air ambulance charities generate £96.7 million a year, operate 36 helicopters, have a volunteer network of over 2,500 people and are one of the most exciting and innovative group of organisations in the UK.
Graham Hodgkin added: “National Air Ambulance Week is a week when people from all over the UK will be supporting their local air ambulance charities. Once again our data reinforces the need to maintain this vital service for London. If you are not a supporter already, please join us and become a regular giver or text SAVE to 70800 now to donate £5. For all those who already support us, thank you. We wouldn’t be here without you.”
Follow our fundraising activities on Twitter (@LDNairamb & #SupportLAA) or Facebook (Search London’s Air Ambulance)
Follow all air ambulance activities on #NAAW2014
