On 30 March, a Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance mission was disrupted when a young child ran directly toward the helicopter during its landing approach. The air ambulance team had identified a suitable landing site to reach a critically ill patient but was forced to abandon its initial attempt due to safety concerns.
Chief pilot Matt Wilcock reported that the landing had to be aborted when a child unexpectedly ran towards the aircraft. Although the helicopter was able to land safely on a second attempt, the team experienced further delays as a large group of young children attempted to approach the helicopter.
Serious Safety Risks Highlighted by Air Ambulance Team
Wilcock expressed concern that the children’s parents appeared unaware of the dangers involved with getting close to an operational aircraft. He explained that the helicopter’s tail rotor spins at nearly 5,000 revolutions per minute, posing a severe risk at the head height of a small child.
He described how bystanders seemed stunned by the helicopter’s arrival, with some making minimal effort to intervene. Wilcock recalled seeing one bystander trying to intercept the running child, but it seemed unlikely they would succeed in time, prompting the pilot to overshoot the landing.
Following the second landing, Wilcock noted that the onboard doctor had to rush out to prevent a “wall” of children, estimated to be around five or six years old, from approaching the still-active rotors. He estimated that the incident delayed the team’s response.
Controlled Engagement with Air Ambulance Services Encouraged
Wilcock confirmed he later spoke to the parents about the importance of managing their children around aircraft. He emphasized that while the charity encourages public interaction, it must happen at safe and appropriate times. He added that educating children about air ambulance operations in a controlled environment is highly motivated, and the crew is always happy to show the helicopter to visitors once it is safe.
