A medical helicopter carrying a patient to a hospital claimed the life of an octogenarian after she and other passers-by were knocked down by strong winds while walking in a nearby parking lot.
“This is an unusual and disturbing accident in which a helicopter carrying out a life-saving mission unfortunately also resulted in the death of an uninvolved person and serious injury to another person,” senior aviation accident instructor Crispin Orr. told The Telegraph. . on Thursday.
In March 2022, Jean Langan, 87, was on her way to her vehicle after an appointment at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK, when she was allegedly thrown to the ground by the strong winds of a helicopter preparing to make an emergency landing, according to the inquest report revealed that a nearby helipad should be used to unload a patient in urgent need of care.
According to British media, the woman suffered a fatal head injury, while another octogenarian passer-by suffered a broken pelvis when she fell.
However, the investigation found that numerous similar incidents had occurred previously but that no solution had been found to prevent the public from entering the car park when a helicopter arrived, despite the significant risk of injury.
The report reportedly cited staff confusion over the danger zone that must be covered when landing a helicopter and suggested nine recommendations to facilitate coordination between the aviation team and ground crew members.
“Helicopters used for search, rescue and emergency services play an essential role, but it is important that the risks associated with a helicopter explosion are understood and well managed,” the chief instructor emphasized.