Testing, testing:  A joint exercise which involved a simulated traffic accident was organised on Fanling Highway to familiarise operational personnel with the procedures of a new roadside rescue service.

The survival rate of road accident victims will be further improved with a new roadside rescue service to be introduced jointly by the Government Flying Service, the Fire Services Department and the Police Force.

The main focus of the new service is to deploy a helicopter to convey highway accident victims to hospitals.

A joint exercise which involved a simulated traffic accident was organised this morning on the westbound lanes of the Fanling Highway to familiarise operational personnel with the procedures of the new service.

The new service can provide rapid transport to hospital even under adverse traffic conditions as no part of Hong Kong's highway system is more than 10 minutes flying time from a suitable hospital.

Aeromedical services can also be administered on board by a medical team drawn from the auxiliary medical and nursing staff of the Government Flying Service. 

The service, to be launched on July 1, will be on trial for one year and will respond to road accidents on specific sections of major highways.

The Fire Services Communication Centre will be responsible for tasking the service.    

Upon receiving an alert, the Police will clear the road ahead of the accident scene to facilitate landing by the helicopter and transferral of the casualties to the nearest one of the three hospitals - Prince of Wales, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern and Tuen Mun - which have dedicated helipads.

The service will be undertaken by a specially-equipped Eurocopter EC155B1 aircraft, which carries a self-contained medical panel serving as a miniature intensive care unit.