Anmed LifeFlight receives bigger, more powerful helicopter

AnMed Health LifeFlight has received a new helicopter that will allow the crew to reach patients even faster.  

On Monday, LifeFlight’s 206-L4 helicopter was replaced by a Bell 407. The new helicopter is faster than the 206-L4 and has a more powerful engine, giving the crew more flexibility when transporting patients long distances.  With the new helicopter, LifeFlight can carry 750 pounds of fuel, a full crew and up to 600 additional pounds of weight.

“The 206-L4 served us well, but we knew when we started that this day would come,” said Paul Hubbard, special projects coordinator and director of the LifeFlight program. “We now have the same flight capabilities as our sister programs in Greenville and Spartanburg, and we’re excited to be able to provide even faster service to residents in our area.” 

LifeFlight is operated through an agreement with Med-Trans Corp. LifeFlight aims to improve the timeliness of care for heart attack, stroke and trauma patients in the Upstate and northeast Georgia. Since beginning service in January 2010, LifeFlight has received 243 requests for service. 

Med-Trans operates two other Upstate helicopters – Med-Trans One in Greenville and Regional One in Spartanburg.  To learn more about LifeFlight, go online to www.AnMedHealth.org.