Plans to land a helicopter in two Kilkenny GAA pitches had to be abandoned today due to the weather.
Schoolchildren and interested locals had turned out in Nowlan park to see for themselves the new air support service for the region
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service was to be introduced to locals in the city at 11 o clock and again in Inistioge at 12.30 however, it had to remain in Waterford because of foggy conditions.
The volunteer service will see advanced paramedics and doctors flown to serious medical emergencies so that treatment can be given as soon as possible.
John Kearney is the Voluntary CEO of HEMS, he told KCLR News at today’s launch how the idea came about:
“It happened because a friend of mine’s 6-year-old daughter died due to the time-delay getting her to definitive care. So the objective of that was to start a service; back in 2008 we started Irish Community Rapid Response, which is volunteer doctors. At the moment we have 137 volunteer doctors. So now we are here today to introduce the Irish Community Air Ambulance project which covers all of Munster and South Leinster and is a vitally important service.”
