New helicopter will allow Irish Community Air Ambulance go further faster

The Irish Community Air Ambulance says its new helicopter will allow it go further, faster.

The Air Ambulance, which is charity-funded, operates from North Cork 365 days a year, and is run by the Irish Community Rapid Response in tandem with the National Ambulance Service.

The Air Ambulance has attended the scene of road traffic accidents, cardiac arrests and farming incidents in Kerry, and has transported patients from treatment.

Its new helicopter, a Leonardo 109S, is the fastest civilian helicopter in the world and can travel up to 300km/hr.

Irish Community Air Ambulance Chief Executive, Mícheál Sheridan, says the new helicopter marks a turning point for the service.