Volcanic ash cloud grounds air ambulance (From Oxford Mail)

Volcanic ash cloud grounds air ambulance

6:07pm Thursday 15th April 2010 in News By Chris Buratta

THE Thames Valley and Chiltern air ambulance was grounded this afternoon because of a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland affecting British air space.

Spokesman Michelle Hewitt said the helicopter had been grounded at its base at RAF Benson at 3pm for safety reasons.

She said the decision had been made to protect both the public and the crew.

She added: “We have been grounded until further notice. Our crew will stay at the base and as soon as we can resume flying, we will do.”

Flights into ‘controlled air space’ from Oxford Airport, in Kidlington, were also grounded because of the ash cloud.

However, the airport said light aircraft could still fly below the clouds, or below 1,500ft.