PrinCE hAs ‘DArk momEnts’ As Air AmBulAnCE pilot

Duke of Cambridge jokes with captain in documentary about his role

The Duke of Cambridge has talked about the “sad, dark moments” of his job as an East Anglian Air Ambulance pilot - while a colleague joked he was a source of “good tips” on parenting. Prince William also revealed he enjoys working as part of the four-strong helicopter crew in contrast to his sometimes solo role as a memberof the Royal Family.

The future king made the comments during an online BBC documentary chronicling his work as a pilot with East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) - which includes Peterborough as part if its patch, - and the service the charity provides.

Sitting in the open door of an air ambulance with captain James Pusey, the Duke described the most difficult emergency he has attended since he began the job last summer.

He said: “I think my most challengingonewastodowith burns. There’s one job in particular that was really quite nasty and I don’t know how the medical crew dealt with it either because they came to the rescue and did everything they (could) and sadly the casualty was beyond help. “Yeah, therearesomeverysad, dark moments and you know wetalkaboutitalot. That’s the best way of dealing with some of the situations is you talk.”

Williamjuggleshisroleasa pilot with his royal duties and onSaturday will travel to Canada with wife Kate and their children, Prince George, aged three, and16-month-old Princess Charlotte, for an official eight-day trip.

The Duke and the captain shared a joke, with Mr Pusey saying of his Royal colleague: “He’s very goodwith advice on parenthood - in terms of good tips”, and William laughed and replied “Dishing out parent advice”.

William added that when he started the job he was worried how people at an emergency would react to him.

He said: “Fortunately they don’t really care whoturnsup as long as they’re getting the care and the help that they need. I have to say I was a little bit anxious of some of that when I first started, because I didn’t wanttobringanychaos or any sort of unhelpfulness to the scene. And, actually, it’s workedoutbetterthanIcould possibly have thought.”

Thedocumentaryhasbeen released as part of National Air Ambulance Week. To watch it visit www.bbc.com/ future

Prince William with an air ambulance. Pic: PA