THE Leader of Sheffield Council has called an urgent meeting after it was revealed the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is to be moved out of the city to West Yorkshire.
Coun Paul Scriven said he was "disappointed" at the plans and has arranged talks with the charity's bosses to try and keep the helicopter in South Yorkshire.
Coun Scriven said: "I'm calling an urgent meeting with the air ambulance operators, the airport authorities, and the police. In an emergency, response times can mean the difference between life and death – every second counts.
"We will do everything possible to prevent the loss of this vital service for the people of Sheffield.
"I also want to know why, if it does have to move, it couldn't be based at Robin Hood airport."
The charity said the cost of fuel and maintenance meant it was no longer financially viable to keep the helicopter in Sheffield and it would be moved to Leeds/Bradford airport where the region's other air ambulance is based.
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