The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard
WILTSHIRE, England — The threat of volcanic ash from the eruption in Iceland has grounded Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
The decision not to allow the aircraft, based at Devizes and shared with Wiltshire Police to fly except in life-threatening circumstances, was taken after the force was advised there was evidence of ash in the air.
However the Great Western Ambulance helicopter based at Filton is still operational, a spokeswoman for the service confirmed today.
Further north Cotswold Airport is still open as normal, although incoming passenger jets for storage have been held up by the ban on flying.
On Thursday the repatriation flight from Afghanistan for fallen Royal Welsh fusilier Jonathan Burgess, 20, was brought forward more than three hours so the C17 could land at RAF Lyneham just before UK airspace was closed.
The National Air Traffic Service says the restrictions will remain until 1am tomorrow at the earliest.
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