A pilot of the air ambulance service in Athlone says he believes the project has proven its worth over the last 10 years and has a good future ahead.
Captain Jason McDermott says the EAS will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this summer and has proved hugely beneficial over the past decade.
The air service was begun as a pilot project in June of 2012 following the controversial closure of the accident and emergency unit at Roscommon hospital.
Since then the helicopter based at Custume Barracks in Athlone and manned by the Irish Air Corp and National Ambulance Service has responded to over 6,000 taskings.
Captain Mc Dermott says everyone involved believes it has played a vital role in bringing emergency medical care to people in the midlands, as well as further afield.
