Exeter-based UK air ambulance operator Capital has flown its 1000th rescue mission only two years after the service was launched in 2012.
The 1,000th mission - flown through the tail end of Hurricane Gordano - proved suitably dramatic, with a crew scrambling to transport an expectant mother from the Channel Islands to Southampton after she went into labour prematurely.
Despite challenging weather conditions the young mother-to-be coped well with the transfer and gave birth later in the safe environment of a teaching hospital.
She safely delivered a boy (4 lb 14oz), and both are now making excellent progress.
Capital's medical director Dr Terry Martin said: "After two years carrying over 1,000 patients from almost 60 countries around the world, the entire team was thrilled to mark our 1,000th flight with the safe delivery of a new-born baby."
Capital Air Ambulance, which was acquired by Exeter Airport owners the Rigby Group in the summer, has operated in to 58 countries or islands, and carried 1,009 patients and their travelling companions on 1,000 missions.
Some 279 of these patients were considered critically ill, being transferred for highly specialised medical care or being repatriated for ongoing intensive care in their home country.
The furthest mission destination was Perth in Western Australia, a distance of 9,170 miles (7,970nm, 14,760km), and undertaken by a Capital flight medical crew in a commercial airliner.
The furthest destination using Capital's own aircraft is Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, a distance of 2,647 miles (2,300nm, 4,260 km), undertaken in a Beech KingAir B200 aircraft.
Dr Martin added: "We have come a long way since launching in 2012. We've transported injured and ill patients across the globe from as far away as Patagonia and the Philippines.
"With a finely tuned team and significant plans for future expansion in place, I expect the next 1,000 flights to break even more ground."
