20/06/2012

Air Ambulance Crash Lands After Hitting Power Lines

An air ambulance helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a field yesterday after it collided with power lines while responding to an urgent call.

The Air Corps EC-135 was en route from Athlone, Co Westmeath to Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary to bring a patient to hospital when the incident occurred in north Tipperary 20 minutes after take-off.

The air ambulance, which was only launched a fortnight ago, had three people on board, two Air Corps crew and one HSE paramedic.

None were injured during the incident, which was described as "a heavy landing" by the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence.

At around 7.30pm a convoy of military trucks arrived at the scene.

It is understood that the damaged aircraft would be removed to a secure location for further examination.

(H)


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