Chinook Helicopter Touches Down on Isle of Wight in NHS Emergency Drill
RAF Rehearses Covid-19 Support Mission Over Newport
Many Isle of Wight residents spotted a Chinook helicopter buzzing over Newport lunchtime today. This wasn’t just a flyby — it was a crucial UK Royal Air Force drill preparing to back up the IoW NHS Trust during the Covid-19 crisis if needed.
Seaclose Park Turns Into Emergency Landing Zone
The RAF landed a CH47 Chinook at Seaclose Park to test long-standing helicopter landing protocols. This site could be vital for swiftly transferring patients if military assistance kicks in during the pandemic. No real patients were involved — just a dry run to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Local Coastguard Teams Lead Safety Efforts
A local coastguard team secured and marked the landing zone before the Chinook touched down briefly. After completing the patient transfer drill, the helicopter returned safely to the mainland. Seaclose Park has a long history as a helicopter landing spot for St Mary’s Hospital — used until the hospital’s dedicated helipad was built.
Quiet Drill to Keep Public Safe
Seaclose Park stayed open during the exercise, but the RAF kept details under wraps to avoid crowds gathering. This careful rehearsal shows the military is ready to back up local health services if the Covid-19 situation worsens on the Isle of Wight.
