Air Ambulance charity urges safety over summer holiday period
Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance say they're averaging 100 missions every month this year
Wiltshire's Air Ambulance charity is calling for us to use common sense to keep ourselves safe during the summer holiday period.
The charity, which is averaging 100 missions per month in 2025, is making the call ahead of a peak time of year for people being out and about as schools complete their academic years.
Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance's (WBAA) Safety Manager, Richard Miller, said they know it's a period where more people will be doing more activities.
"We know people will be on their push bikes, out walking and doing some extreme sports," he said. "Enjoy yourself, but just take that extra time to really protect yourself and know that these things might come with consequences."
He's urging people cycling on roads to ensure they're wearing a helmet and using lights to help them be seen and for other road users to be wary of vulnerable road users, including horse riders.
Richard said: "We look after yourself. We want you to enjoy yourself. We want you to go home after and have a great holiday with the family."
He also warned of people taking risks near water, saying the better weather can see people get into trouble after going to a local river.
"People do unfortunately go out there and get into trouble," Richard said, adding: They get caught up with whatever is underneath the water, the reeds or anything like that under there and it will drag them unfortunately as it's fast flowing.
"Just be extra careful out there."
Keep clear if Air Ambulance lands near you
Richard told us that it's crucial the public keep themselves safe when the Air Ambulance arrives at a scene to help someone.
He told us there have been cases this year of people running towards the helicopter as it is landing, which brings its own risks.
On most occasions, the charity knows where it will likely land and can alert authorities, including police, on the ground to help clear the area.
However, that's not always possible and can see the aircraft make a surprise appearance in fields where families might be.
Richard advised to keep clear, taking all belongings with you to the side of the area we find ourselves in, to protect us from the downwash of the rotor blades.
He added that we should turn away to keep our eyes and body protected from any litter that might fly up from the ground as the helicopter lands.
However, we're told once the crew has made its way to the patient, we can engage with the pilot and ask questions about the aircraft.
But when the crew returns with the patient, we're asked to move children away and allow the patient to be cared for.
When the aircraft lifts off, we are again asked to move well clear, in case there is an issue with the helicopter during take off.