Lift-off at last for helicopter stranded at hospital helipad

A LIFE-SAVING helicopter finally flew home yesterday after being stranded on a hospital helipad for more than four days.

Engineers finally managed to fix the engine problems which grounded the Sea King helicopter.

It took off from Borders General Hospital near Melrose, Roxburghshire, and returned to RAF Boulmer in Northumberland where it will continue to be worked on.

RAF chiefs had considered sending a Chinook to airlift the Sea King home if they were unable to get if repaired.

The engine problems were exacerbated by the cold weather.

But spare parts were driven up from Peterborough on Friday night and after working on the helicopter over the weekend the pilots were able to fly it 70 miles home to the RAF base.

Flight sergeant Andy Carnell said: "It has flown back to RAF Boulmer. But there are still some problems so it is going into the hangar to dry out and will be worked on."