Lifesaver service gets off to flying start

ONE man’s dream to get Ireland’s first dedicated air ambulance service off the ground has taken a giant leap forward.

Derek Rowe, who established the All Ireland Air Ambulance charity in 2007, confirmed yesterday that a community-funded nationwide air ambulance service will begin operations later this year.

It will be introduced in the Cork/Kerry region first with a new helicopter based between Cork and Kerry airports. It will be staffed by a pilot and two paramedics who will be on standby to respond to big accidents.