Magpas Air Ambulance

18/06/2026

A Magpas Air Ambulance critical care team was activated to this serious medical incident this afternoon (18 June). They arrived at 13:42 and treated one patient at the scene before escorting them to hospital via land ambulance.

Our thoughts remain with the patient and their family at this time.

Any enquiries should be forwarded to Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

A police investigation is underway following an incident at Johnson’s of Old Hurst, in Old Hurst.

Officers were called to the zoo at 1.24pm to reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure.

The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries and is critical but stable. Specially trained officers are at the hospital supporting the boy’s family.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempt murder. Detectives from the Major Crime Unit are investigating.

Det Insp Verity McCann said: “At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances. We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other. Officers are supporting the boy’s family at hospital, and our thoughts remain with them.”

18/06/2026

Every time our crew is called to a critically ill or injured patient, they're ready to bring enhanced emergency care when it's needed most.

What many people don't realise is that a Magpas Air Ambulance mission costs around £3,000 on average. From specialist doctors and critical care paramedics, to lifesaving equipment, our helicopter and rapid response vehicles, and patient aftercare, every mission is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

That's why we're inviting individuals and businesses to become Mission Makers. By funding a lifesaving mission, you'll help us respond when every second counts and make a lasting difference to patients and families across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and the East of England.

Find out more about becoming a Mission Maker: https://magpas.org.uk/ways-to-give/philanthropy/missionmakers/

16/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our very first Magpas Air Ambulance alumni event.

It was a privilege to welcome former doctors and paramedics from over the years; reminisce on the history, and celebrate the role they've all played in shaping the charity we know today!

Whether you volunteered from your GP practice or home, were part of the early Emergency Medical Team, or worked more recently as part of the HEMS team, your contribution helped build the lifesaving service that has been there for more than 70,000 patients and their families since 1971.

If you were unable to attend, but would like to hear about future alumni events and opportunities to reconnect with Magpas Air Ambulance, find out more and register your interest by visiting: magpas.org.uk/get-involved/alumni/

14/06/2026

This World Blood Donor Day is a celebration, and a call to action.

Magpas Air Ambulance has always been keen to explore the most appropriate use of this limited and precious resource, taking part in a variety of trials, and we now routinely carry blood on board to help some of our most seriously injured patients.

Currently, Magpas Air Ambulance is partnered with NHS Blood & Transplant Cambridge to provide immediate transfusions of red blood cells and plasma on-scene, transfusing 108 units of blood to patients in 2025—a 108% increase on the previous year.

If you can, please consider donating blood this World Blood Donor Day. Your donation could save lives.

13/06/2026

We’re proud to share the exceptional news that our Executive Medical Director, Dr Simon Lewis, has been awarded an MBE in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours list, for services to emergency care.

Described as a quiet pioneer, Simon’s profound contribution and influence is felt not only at Magpas Air Ambulance, but also across the air ambulance sector and the NHS.

We’re also thrilled to congratulate Magpas Air Ambulance’s former Medical Director, Dr Rod Mackenzie, who has also been awarded an MBE for his outstanding contributions.

Together, Simon and Rod have saved lives, inspired countless careers and transformed pre-hospital emergency care in the country. We hope you’ll join us in congratulating them on this phenomenal achievement!

Find out more about these extraordinary clinicians who have and continue to guide our clinical service here: https://magpas.org.uk/pioneering-magpas-air-ambulance-doctors-awarded-mbe/

12/06/2026

We're delighted to share that Magpas Air Ambulance, East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity (EAAA), and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) have been jointly shortlisted for the British Quality Foundation (BQF) Collaboration Award.

The nomination recognises the success of our collaborative "Sharing for Success" initiative, which brings together air ambulance charities to exchange knowledge, share best practice, and learn from one another for the benefit of the communities we serve.

By working together, we can achieve more than we can alone. This shortlist is a testament to the commitment of all three organisations to continuous improvement, collaboration, and delivering the highest standards.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of Sharing for Success. We are honoured to be recognised by the British Quality Foundation, an independent UK organisation dedicated to promoting excellence and performance improvement.

Congratulations to all those shortlisted, and we look forward to the awards ceremony!

11/06/2026

United in Pride, today and every day.

Magpas Air Ambulance stands alongside and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, and champions equality, acceptance and human rights for all—not just this Pride Month, but all year round.

09/06/2026

The increased demand for Magpas Air Ambulance and the lifesaving service we provide is here to stay.

Magpas Air Ambulance has just experienced its busiest month on record, with our advanced medical team responding to 197 emergency calls in May. This follows the charity being called to more critically ill and injured patients than ever before last year.

We are proud to be able to respond and be there for every patient who urgently needs our care across the region. But it's important to remember that none of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of our supporters, who enable us to provide this vital service 24/7.

With you, we save lives.

07/06/2026

Volunteers’ Week has been the perfect opportunity to shout out the people who support Magpas Air Ambulance with their time and skills.

This year, their commitment was reflected in 73 volunteering milestones, including several 300 and 500-hour achievements. Each one represents the remarkable dedication of our volunteers and their sustained support for our lifesaving work.

Thank you to every one of our volunteers! With you, we save lives.

06/06/2026

From local fundraisers to large events, rain or shine, our event volunteers show up.

Whether they’re making our charity stall stand out, chatting with supporters, cheering on fundraisers, or even bringing our charity mascot, Bravo, to life... It is our event volunteers who bring the community spirit and raise awareness and funds for Magpas Air Ambulance wherever they go.

Thank you for helping us continue to save lives 24/7.