The Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity has revealed it was called to more than 1,100 emergencies last year, underlining the vital role it plays in delivering critical care across the region.
Photo © Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity
Mission statistics for 2025 show the charity’s crews responded to 1,159 incidents, all funded by donations from the public and local businesses.
In Bath alone, the critical care team attended 97 emergencies over the past year, bringing hospital-level treatment directly to patients at the scene.
From Lansdown to Larkhall, and Twerton to Widcombe, crews were called to a range of serious incidents, including road traffic collisions and medical emergencies.
The Royal United Hospital in Bath was the most frequent destination for patients in need of further treatment, with 99 people transferred there from across the region.
The figures highlight both the hospital’s key role in emergency care and the importance of the air ambulance’s ability to reach it quickly when every second counts.
Chief executive designate Barbara Gray said: “Behind every number is a real person – someone’s loved one. These figures show just how vital our work is, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who supports us and helps keep this lifesaving service running.”
The data also shows that critical care doctors were on board for 61% of missions, allowing the crew to carry out enhanced clinical interventions at the scene, including advanced pain management, anaesthesia and emergency surgery.
Over the year, 333 patients were transferred to major hospitals across the region. After the RUH in Bath, the most common destinations were Southmead Hospital in Bristol, with 93 patients, and Great Western Hospital in Swindon, which received 43 patients.
The charity receives no direct government funding and relies entirely on public support to keep its helicopter flying and critical care cars on the road.
