The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Service announced this morning it would not operate its two helicopters due to the cloud of volcanic ash that has spread to southern England.
The eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano on Wednesday has already grounded commercial flights to and out of the UK and a spokesman for the air ambulance service said, after speaking with the Met Office, they had also decided to follow course.
The spokesman said: “We have been made aware by the Met Office that the plume of volcanic ash is now above us and that dust has been detected on the ground in southern England.
“As a result of this, as of 10am this morning, we have had to accept the reality that on a temporary basis, we are no longer able to operate our two helicopters. Our crews have already transferred to ground vehicles so that we can continue to provide our life-saving service.”
The service, which described the suspension of their helicopters as a “difficult decision”, said they would constantly be reviewing the situation.
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