Derriford bans large helicopters after death

NOW CALL TO REVIEW ALL UK HOSPITAL LANDING SITES

- CARL EVE

HELICOPTER landing sites at hospitals across the UK should be reviewed in the aftermath of the death of a Plymouth grandmother who was blown over by the downdraft from a HM Coastguard aircraft, an inquest has heard.

The inquest into the death of 87-year-old Jean Langan was told that updated guidance on ‘downwash’ from helicopters had not been applied to the existing helipad site at Derriford Hospital.

A spokesperson for the NHS Trust which runs the hospital told the inquest that large helicopters would never again land at Derriford because of the risks.

But air accident investigators said that helipad sites across the country should be reviewed to ensure they adhere to the updated guidance.

Mrs Langan suffered serious head injuries when she was blown backwards by the gusts (known as ‘downwash’) caused by the HM Coastguard helicopter on March 4, 2022.

It was carrying a casualty suffering from hypothermia who had been winched aboard after being rescued from a river near Tintagel.