'Severe weather' prevented 2 aircrafts from transporting emergent patient from Grand Manan to the mainland: Ambulance N.B.
CTV
The MLA who represents Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick says it’s been too long since the island has had reliable air ambulance service – and she wants to see it fixed.
The MLA who represents Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick says it’s been too long since the island has had reliable air ambulance service – and she wants to see it fixed.
Progressive Conservative MLA Andrea Anderson-Mason came out, on her own accord, to speak to reporters at the New Brunswick legislature Wednesday about a situation the night before that she feels illustrates the urgency of the need for a permanent service.
“It was a 76-year-old stroke victim. And we all know that stroke victims, they need attention immediately,” she said. “We are going on almost two years right now that air ambulance has not been reliable for the residents of Grand Manan. And it is getting incredibly frustrating.”
Ambulance New Brunswick (ANB) confirmed in a statement that on the evening of May 28, they received a request for an air ambulance transfer from the Grand Manan Hospital.
The island doesn’t currently have permanent air ambulance service, but since March, ANB has been using a back-up aircraft when necessary, depending on pilot staffing, maintenance and its availability.
A spokesperson for ANB said that backup plane was dispatched, but “severe weather prevented the plane from completing the transfer.”
They then sought the help of the Canadian Forces Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) helicopter, based in Greenwood, N.S.
