A new rescue helicopter nicknamed Hiowatha is set to help save even more lives.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight air ambulance service launched the larger, faster EC135 aircraft on Tuesday last week.
The launch, at Beaulieu Motor Museum, is the latest success story for the charity, which has completed more than 2,470 air rescue missions since it started up in 2007.
The aircraft, funded through public donations, will replace the 33-year-old helicopter previously used by the charity.
Administration manager Sherie Williams Ellen said: “Although our old aircraft served us very well, it was not specifically designed for its purpose like this one is. With the new helicopter, we can get to a position quicker and carry an extra person, which is really important. That could be a parent of an injured child, a spouse or extra medical personnel.”
The Bishop of Basingstoke, the Right Reverend Peter Hancock, blessed the aircraft and crew.
The 250 guests, including charity volunteers and donators, enjoyed a champagne reception and a display of emergency vehicles from South Central Ambulance Service.
The air ambulance operates every day of the year, providing a rapid response to emergencies throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The crew is called out between three and five times a day and can be operational in less than four minutes.
Paramedic Pat Andrews said: "I think we're quicker with this aircraft. It starts up quicker because the technology on it is much more advanced."
Ms Williams Ellen gave an example of an incident where speed was vital.
“Recently, there was a riding accident in the middle of the New Forest,” she said.
“They couldn’t be reached by a land ambulance and it would have taken hours to walk there.
“But we got there in less than 15 minutes.
“At the hospital, the man was told he would have died if he’d had to wait for a land ambulance.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who donated money to make the service even better.”
