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Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) has reached a major milestone, responding to its 7,000th emergency call-out — a road traffic accident near Birkhall on Royal Deeside earlier this week.
The charity-funded life-saving service scrambled a helicopter air ambulance from its Aberdeen base to the remote and rural location after a woman was trapped and injured in her van which left the road and overturned.
SCAA landed in an adjacent field as firefighters were cutting the injured woman from the wreckage. SCAA paramedics then worked with road ambulance crew colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service to treat the patient and airlift her to the Major Trauma Centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The flight took less than 20 minutes – as opposed to a road journey of around 80 minutes – ensuring the injured woman received vital hospital care in the fastest possible time.
Russell Mackay, SCAA’s Operations Manager, said that while the mission marked a milestone for the charity, everyone’s thoughts were with the injured woman.
“We’re so pleased SCAA was available to attend for what must have been a painful and anxious experience for the patient and her family,” he said. “Everyone at SCAA wishes her a speedy and full recovery.”
Mr Mackay said that the landmark call out fell in what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for the country’s only charity air ambulance service.
Mr Mackay said demand for SCAA’s two helicopters, based in Perth and Aberdeen, “always sees a rise” during the summer months, with the Birkhall emergency one of three missions for the Aberdeen crew that day.
In the past month alone, crews have been called to 68 serious incidents across Scotland, from industrial and equestrian accidents to road traffic collisions, sports injuries, heart attacks, strokes and falls.
He described the Birkhall response as “yet another example of our partnership working with other emergency responders in order to achieve the best patient outcomes and fastest delivery of care.” Whether operating as part of a multi-agency team or as the sole responder, he said, “SCAA has proved invaluable to the people of Scotland.”
Reflecting on the charity’s 7,000th mission, Mr Mackay said it was a moment to look back on “the many we have helped and all who have helped us.” He added: “SCAA believes no one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time — and this significant milestone, and the thousands of lives we have saved and impacted positively during our 12 years in service, is due entirely to the generous support of the public and the many trusts, foundations, businesses and organisations who recognise the vital service we provide. We owe them all a huge debt of gratitude.”
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