Lincolnshire Air Ambulance Dazzled By Laser
It happened as the aircraft returned from an emergency call. Police are investigating.
Investigations are continuing after a laser was shone at crew on board a life-saving Lincolnshire air ambulance as it returned from an emergency call out.
A Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance was targeted on Sunday evening.
Luckily, the aircraft wasn't affected but a doctor was temporarily blinded in the incident.
People are now being reminded of the dangers and seriousness of shining laser devices at aircrafts and parents are being urged not to give them to kids.
Peter Aldrick is Chief Executive of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance service and told Viking FM:
"We are trying to save lives here and the foolish actions of these people doing this could actually put lives at risk. We really want people to be educated to understand the severity of what they could have caused and what we are planning to do in the local area around the incident is go into local schools with some of our air crew and explain the dangers."
Peter says the recent incident could have quite easily been a lot worse:
"If the pilot loses control of the helicopter of course he could crash and that could cause the death of the patient we are carrying, the crew and of course collateral damage to those on the ground so it is a very serious and criminal offence and police can take prosecution."
He says such incidents are on the increase:
"Thankfully they have been relatively rare for us but I do know other air ambulances and other aviation agencies around the UK have experienced this and of course with the growing availability of such laser pens, this is a growing problem."
A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson say while it's not thought the young person responsible intended to cause harm - they're continuing to investigate the circumstances. They told us:
"Lincolnshire Police would like to remind people of the dangers of shining laser devices at aircrafts following an incident in the Witham St Hughes area involving the air ambulance.
"At 19:30 on Sunday 4th October Police received a report that a laser had been shone at the air ambulance as it returned from an emergency call. Thankfully, the aircraft was not affected.
“It is not only extremely dangerous but is also a criminal offence. It can dazzle or distract a pilot and can prove a considerable threat to safety.
“These devices are not toys and we would like to remind people of the seriousness of shining them at an aircraft.
Last night’s incident is believed to be a stupid and ill-judged act of a child rather than a real intention to cause harm. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances.
Advice to parents and guardians is to take away and dispose of any laser devises seen in the possession of children."