Air ambulance grounded over Novichok contamination fears

♦ Wiltshire’s air ambulance has been grounded amid fears the helicopter has been contaminated by Novichok.

Wiltshire Police has closed the air ambulance station to allow specialist teams to test the station, emergency vehicles and kit worn by responders involved in the initial response to Charlie Rowley, 45, and Dawn Sturgess, 44, who were poisoned with the deadly nerve agent in Amesbury in June.

Ms Sturgess died the following week.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills, who is leading the multi-agency response to the incident, said: “We are very aware that this news might cause some concern to our communities.

“This highly precautionary activity is focused on ensuring that we take all steps necessary to consider any remediation activity which may be necessary in the longer term to further reduce any residual risk.”

David Philpott, the chief executive of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “As is normal procedure when our helicopter is unable to fly, our paramedics and doctors will respond to emergencies in rapid response cars.”