Rescue helicopter gets cash lift-off

Tuesday 24th January 2006, 12:00AM GMT.

JERSEY will have a privately funded search and rescue helicopter before the end of the year.

An anonymous benefactor has put up the money and yesterday volunteer crews from the Island’s emergency services were being put through their paces in the first training sessions.

The 12 crew members, who include two pilots, are using a loaned BK 117 from makers Eurocopter for training this week but an updated version of the craft, the EC 145 multi-role helicopter, will be delivered later this year.

The aircraft was jointly developed by Eurocopter and Kawasaki of Japan and has a larger take-off weight and cabin volume than the BK 117.

It would cost in the region of five million euros to buy outright.

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