New air ambulance based in North Platte

A new American Eurocopter EC 135 P2+ is providing air ambulance service to Western Nebraska.

COLUMBUS, Nebraska -- Midwest Medical Transport has announced the June launch of its new Air Medical Helicopter service out of North Platte.

Midwest Medical Transport Co. is a Nebraska-owned company and serves all of Nebraska and Western Iowa with nine stations and a fleet of fully equipped medical ambulances, highly trained and certified personnel, providing all levels of care from wheelchair vans to critical care transfers.

The new air medical helicopter will be an extension of the critical care ground transportation, and will also provide emergency scene responses within a service area which extends from eastern Colorado to the Nebraska/Iowa border.

The new helicopter is the latest model from American Eurocopter, the EC 135 P2+.

The aircraft is a twin engine helicopter with the latest color weather radar, GPS and navigation systems, weather and hazard avoidance systems. The helicopter is IFR capable, and can safely operate in a variety of conditions. Night vision goggles will be obtained by year's end.

According to the company, the aircraft will be flown by a highly trained and skilled team of pilots that all have multiple years of EMS flight experience. The medical crews consist of an Emergency Certified Paramedic and a Critical Care Nurse on every flight.

Together, the advanced helicopter and experienced crews will be able to handle all types of emergency responses and hospital transfers. "We look forward to working with our customers to provide the highest possible level of patient care," said the news release.