Photo: YouTube capture
The inspiring work of the Flying Doctor, by his real name John Hinds, has not been in vain. Northern Ireland will finally have a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), the final goal for which Hinds lobbied the Stormont-based Parliament for years.
Dr. Hinds will be remembered as an iconic figure among both racers and the road racing enthusiasts in that part of Europe. A motorcycle fan from the age of 17, John Hinds got his medial degree in 2003 at the Queen's University Belfast.
Right after he became a medical doctor, Hinds joined the Motorcycle Union of the country's medical team and was one of two doctors who rode motorbikes that provided rapid response for crashes during the races.
Hinds and his colleague Fred MacSorley would ride behind the racers during the warm-up and opening laps of each race to make sure they could intervene quickly in case of a serious accident.
It was during his volunteering work when Hinds understood the need of air ambulance and started advocating the creation of such a service, having even met the Health Minister in 2015.
The meeting occurred days before Hinds was killed on the 4th of July while providing the usual medical support in a practice session for one of the Skerries 100 races. His wife carried on his legacy and the BBC awarded him the Get Inspired Unsung Hero award.
Last week, Chancellor George Osborne announced £4.5 million ($6.4 mil or €5.7 mil) to help the Air Ambulance Service for Northern Ireland, the sole UK region without such medical infrastructure. As a sign of respect for the legacy of John Hinds, the helicopter will have the call sign "Delta 7," which was also used by him.
"The announcement was made at Craigavon Area Hospital, where the doctor was based before his death. Dr Hinds' family and partner took on his campaign for an air ambulance in the wake of his death," the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Right after he became a medical doctor, Hinds joined the Motorcycle Union of the country's medical team and was one of two doctors who rode motorbikes that provided rapid response for crashes during the races.
Hinds and his colleague Fred MacSorley would ride behind the racers during the warm-up and opening laps of each race to make sure they could intervene quickly in case of a serious accident.
It was during his volunteering work when Hinds understood the need of air ambulance and started advocating the creation of such a service, having even met the Health Minister in 2015.
The meeting occurred days before Hinds was killed on the 4th of July while providing the usual medical support in a practice session for one of the Skerries 100 races. His wife carried on his legacy and the BBC awarded him the Get Inspired Unsung Hero award.
Last week, Chancellor George Osborne announced £4.5 million ($6.4 mil or €5.7 mil) to help the Air Ambulance Service for Northern Ireland, the sole UK region without such medical infrastructure. As a sign of respect for the legacy of John Hinds, the helicopter will have the call sign "Delta 7," which was also used by him.
"The announcement was made at Craigavon Area Hospital, where the doctor was based before his death. Dr Hinds' family and partner took on his campaign for an air ambulance in the wake of his death," the Belfast Telegraph reports.
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