Air Ambulance gears up for long weekend

When there’s an emergency on the highway, the fastest way to get help is by air.

And as many Manitobans head out for the last long weekend of the summer, STARS Air Ambulance will be ready.

“We’re doing 24-hour coverage so we’ll be on the whole long weekend, day and night and that’s because we anticipate a higher call volume,” said STARS Paramedic, Grant Therrien.

Normally the crew works 7:00 am to 7:00 pm but this weekend, they’ll be working around the clock.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“The long weekend has started already, unfortunately we’re out right now,” said Therrien.

The red STARS Helicopter was called to a crash in the RM of Hillsburg near Roblin this afternoon. Two pick-up trucks collided head on earlier and the patients needed to be transferred to hospital in Winnipeg.

Three men, including a 16-year-old, were seriously injured.

“For the patients that are really injured with traumatic injuries or stroke protocol patients, I think we make a huge difference and maybe save their lives in many cases,” said STARS Pilot, Jon Gogan.

And come January, STARS Air Ambulance will operate 24 hours a day, everyday.

“We’ve hired 11 new staff from Manitoba that are going to be joining us, they’re currently going through their training,” said Therrien.

Since STARS arrived in Manitoba in 2011, its been dispatched to a call almost once a day but they’re hoping that doesn’t happen this weekend.

“We don’t want to be busy,” said Therrien, “we want everyone to have fun and be safe.”