06-23-2017, 08:51 PM
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/738...ad-closes/
KITCHENER — Patients transported by helicopter to and from Kitchener's hospitals will be diverted to the Breslau airport after the downtown helipad was closed due to a new construction crane erected nearby.
The helipad is at Walter and Wellington streets, between Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital. This week, a tall crane went up not too far away.
"The crane affects the flight path to the helipad," said Grand River spokesperson Mark Karjaluoto.
Helicopters will now have to land at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, and an ambulance will need to cover the rest of the distance to either hospital. Karjaluoto said they were notified on Wednesday morning by Ornge, which provides air ambulance services in Ontario.
The downtown helipad gets 100 flights a year, equal to one every few days. By comparison, Karjaluoto said, Grand River's emergency department sees 70,000 patients a year.
KITCHENER — Patients transported by helicopter to and from Kitchener's hospitals will be diverted to the Breslau airport after the downtown helipad was closed due to a new construction crane erected nearby.
The helipad is at Walter and Wellington streets, between Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital. This week, a tall crane went up not too far away.
"The crane affects the flight path to the helipad," said Grand River spokesperson Mark Karjaluoto.
Helicopters will now have to land at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, and an ambulance will need to cover the rest of the distance to either hospital. Karjaluoto said they were notified on Wednesday morning by Ornge, which provides air ambulance services in Ontario.
The downtown helipad gets 100 flights a year, equal to one every few days. By comparison, Karjaluoto said, Grand River's emergency department sees 70,000 patients a year.