Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Having been involved in the campaign for an air ambulance service before it was fashionable I greatly welcome the announcement of the new service to be based at the Maze. I am delighted that it will be doctor-led. Anything less would have left the people of Northern Ireland with a second class service. Earlier suggestions that we could get a paramedic led service concerned me greatly and prompted intervention by some world experts in the field.
“This is a good news story for Northern Ireland and a fitting tribute to Dr John Hinds who campaigned so passionately on the issue before his untimely death.”