Pregnant woman airlifted to hospital by helicopter

A HEAVILY pregnant woman has been airlifted from a remote Scottish island to a Glasgow hospital after she developed complications in labour.

Stornoway Coastguard flew the 34-year-old from the Western Isles Hospital Stornoway to Glasgow Southern General Hospital yesterday evening at 8:30pm.

The woman, who required an immediate transfer to a specialist care unit, was accompanied by her husband and a midwife.

Stornoway Coastguard said they did not have any problems with volcanic ash.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said: "We received a request to carry out the transfer of an NHS patient from Stornoway to Glasgow.

"The 34-year-old had complications with her pregnancy and needed immediate transfer to Glasgow for specialist care. Her husband and a midwife accompanied her during the flight."

Coastguard watch manager Carol Collins added: "Despite the problems with volcanic ash, Coastguard helicopters are still operating for incidents where life is seriously at risk. We are glad to be able to assist."