Poor weather condtions have rarely hampered the air ambulance helicopter in Athlone since it was set up in 2012.
The service is manned by Defence Forces' personnel and paramedics from the HSE, and it is attributed with saving scores of lives since it was set up after the closure of Roscommon hospital's Accident and Emergency unit.
Roscommon native Capt James Mc Dermott who's one of those who fly the helicopter on the missons, says it's not very often that bad weather actually grounds the craft, but safety measures have to priority at all times.
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He adds that even when the helicopter is grounded, they can respond to emergencies with a special unit on the ground:
