Air Ambulance Speeds Lumby Woman to Kelowna Hospital in Urgent Medical Crisis

Lumby, BC – June 27, 2025 – Just before 3 p.m. today, a 911 call alerted paramedics to a Lumby woman possibly facing a life-threatening medical emergency. Ground crews rushed to assess her condition and, with time critical, called for an air ambulance to transport her to Kelowna General Hospital for specialized care.

Air Ambulance Speeds Lumby Woman to Kelowna Hospital in Urgent Medical Crisis

The helicopter responding to the medical emergency, staffed with highly trained paramedics, was one of the province’s new fleet of rotary air ambulances.

Seven Leonardo AW169 helicopters, operated by Ascent Helicopters Ltd., are being deployed in BC, replacing older helicopters previously operated by other providers.

These advanced helicopters, the first of their kind for air ambulance services in Canada, are built to reach patients quickly, from remote rural areas to urban centers.

Equipped with night vision goggles for safe navigation in low-light conditions, spacious medical cabins for critical-care interventions, and automated stretcher systems to speed up transfers while easing paramedic strain, the AW169s enhance emergency response for thousands of patients annually.

Ascent, based in Parksville, is now the province’s sole provider of helicopter air ambulance services, having replaced older aircraft through a transition that began in 2023. The fleet operates from bases in Kamloops, Vancouver, and northern BC, ensuring rapid access to care province-wide.

For the Lumby woman, the time saved getting to Kelowna General Hospital by air ambulance may be crucial. By road, the 73-kilometer trip to Kelowna General Hospital’s helipad would take a ground ambulance about 55 to 60 minutes, even with lights and sirens.

The AW169, flying a direct 55-kilometer route, made the journey in roughly 20 minutes, saving nearly 40 minutes—crucial time in her urgent need for care.