Orkney-bound air ambulance flew to Shetland by mistake

An investigation is under way after an air ambulance called to Orkney flew to Shetland instead.

The Orcadian was informed on Tuesday that the air ambulance, with an incubator on board, was called to the aid of an infant in the county on Friday night.

However, in what the Scottish Ambulance Service described as an “extremely unusual occurrence”, the aircraft made its way to Shetland.

An SAS spokesman said: “We made arrangements for our aircraft to collect the patient from Orkney as soon as we were made aware of the error.

“The patient was transferred safely to hospital in Aberdeen by air.”

He added: “We are working closely with NHS Grampian to establish the circumstances around the initial request.”

For more on this story, pick up a copy of today’s edition of The Orcadian.