08:27
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The Whitney hospital will receive an Agusta
109 — the fastest medical helicopter used in the region — in February,
CareFlite spokesman James Swartz said. The new helicopter is a twin
engine and can travel at 173 miles per hour.
Whitney Hospital Authority President Jim Cato said the new CareFlite helicopter stationed at Lake Whitney Medical Center will allow the struggling hospital to provide better emergency service while adding jobs to the surrounding area.
CareFlite is the ground emergency service for Hill County and wanted a helicopter in the area because Air Evac Lifeteam, the air-emergency rescue service based in West, moved to Hillsboro at the end of 2013, according to Swartz.
Air Evac’s base was destroyed in the April 17 West fertilizer plant explosion. The company relocated because the majority of its calls come from north of West.
All patients will be taken to the trauma center at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center unless they are a burn victim or a child, Swartz said.
Whitney Hospital Authority President Jim Cato said the new CareFlite helicopter stationed at Lake Whitney Medical Center will allow the struggling hospital to provide better emergency service while adding jobs to the surrounding area.
CareFlite is the ground emergency service for Hill County and wanted a helicopter in the area because Air Evac Lifeteam, the air-emergency rescue service based in West, moved to Hillsboro at the end of 2013, according to Swartz.
Air Evac’s base was destroyed in the April 17 West fertilizer plant explosion. The company relocated because the majority of its calls come from north of West.
All patients will be taken to the trauma center at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center unless they are a burn victim or a child, Swartz said.
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