Christophorus Europa 3 begins round-the-clock rescue flights

Christophorus Europa 3, the emergency medical helicopter based in Suben in the Schärding district, will operate around the clock from Friday, ORF reports. It will provide emergency care at night in Upper Austria and Bavaria for the first time.

The change follows, among other things, a case last year that drew attention beyond Upper Austria. In mid-October, a 54-year-old woman from the Mühlviertel was taken to Rohrbach Hospital with a tear in her main artery. Because the necessary operation could not be performed there, several nearby hospitals, including those in Linz and Wels, were contacted. According to information at the time, none had sufficient capacity, and the woman died.

A rapid transfer by emergency medical helicopter was also not possible because Upper Austria’s helicopters were not equipped for evening and night flights.

Additional staff trained for night missions

The 24-hour operation in Suben is intended to change this. Additional pilots, flight rescuers and emergency doctors have been recruited. The team has also received training for night missions.

Christophorus Europa 3 will operate not only in Upper Austria. The helicopter is jointly run by ÖAMTC Air Rescue and its German partner organisation ADAC and will also serve several districts in neighbouring Bavaria.

In Upper Austria, its main areas of operation will be the Innviertel region and the Rohrbach district. Governor Thomas Stelzer and his deputy responsible for health, Christine Haberlander, both of the Austrian People’s Party, will present the helicopter together with ÖAMTC and ADAC on Monday.

Until now, Upper Austria was covered during the night where possible by 24-hour helicopters stationed in Lower Austria and Styria. The new night helicopter in Suben is intended to improve emergency coverage, particularly in the western part of the state.