A Co Down schoolboy flown to hospital by Northern Ireland's first air ambulance was reunited with the crew today as the helicopter was officially launched.
Conor McMullan (11) became the first patient to be airlifted to hospital by the new service after suffering serious injuries in a tractor accident in Castlewellan.
The air ambulance was scrambled from training last month to take him to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, just weeks ahead of its official launch at a base at the Maze/Long site near Lisburn.
And as the helicopter was being unveiled to the public this morning, it was called out to another emergency call.
The creation of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (Hems) follows a 12-year campaign. Northern Ireland was the only region in the UK without an air ambulance service.
It will be able to reach any part of the north within 25 minutes and operates with a doctor and paramedic on board.
Conor and his father John said they had witnessed first-hand how the air ambulance is needed.
"We are a farming community and it was a typical Saturday with everyone farming," Mr McMullan said.
"The kids were enjoying themselves when Conor was hit by a piece of machinery and sustained a very bad head injury and fracture.
"Where we are is very rural and the roads are very poor but thanks to the air ambulance we were able to get him into hospital and treated within minutes.
"It was very traumatic for us but it was very settling to know the air ambulance was there and he was going to get the care he needed within minutes.
"It really put me at ease and so did the professionalism of the team. It really is a vital service. Conor is going to make a full recovery."
Conor said: "I can't remember being in the helicopter so it was really brilliant to see it today, especially flying."
Air Ambulance chief executive Patrick Minne said: "Our first casualty, Conor, was taken to Belfast in an eight-minute flight that would probably have taken between 50 and 60 minutes by road.
"I can't tell you the amount of time it will save in terms of getting a doctor to treat a casualty on site."
