Premature twins die after helicopter rescue

Premature twins who were rescued from floods by helicopters in the south-west of England have died, police said today.

The rescue team plucked their stranded mother and her newborn babies from their home in the centre of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

But after being rushed to Cheltenham General Hospital the twins died.

A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said: “On Saturday morning, a woman in Tewkesbury who was 21 weeks pregnant requested medical assistance.

“999 were called and a paramedic was sent. He realised immediately that due to the floods he would not be able to reach the location safely.

“RAF search and rescue were called and a helicopter carrying a highly experienced paramedic was immediately diverted to the scene.

“The mother and babies were taken to Cheltenham General Hospital, faster than an ambulance would have been able to do in normal circumstances, where everything possible was done to help them. Sadly, the babies did not survive.

“This is a tragic situation and our thoughts are with the family. The woman and her family have asked to be left alone at this difficult time.”

An RAF rescue team had told how the woman and her premature twins were rescued from their flooded home just moments after she gave birth.

Flight Lieutenant Douglas Larkam, of the B Flight 22 Squadron based at Wattisham Airfield, Suffolk, said the alarm was raised by the woman’s family when she went into labour.

“The twins were winched into one helicopter and the mother into another helicopter,” he said.

“As I understand it, she had given birth moments before we arrived.”

The mother and babies were flown to Cheltenham Hospital after being picked up at about 5am on Saturday.