One of the Hovertravel pilots has been taken seriously ill whilst the hover was landed in Ryde. The crew there are awaiting an ambulance in preparation of removing the pilot from their elevated cabin.
We’ve been informed by a passenger waiting that the pilot was unconscious when he was taken off the craft.
We’ve been informed that the ambulance has only just left.
In the meantime, delays are obviously occurring for what was going to be the 6pm service.
As a consequence of the medical situation, the hover is now running on a single shuttle service.
Update 20.21
A spokesperson for Hovertravel Ltd told OnTheWight,
Today at 17:45 as the 17:30 service approached Ryde, the pilot was taken ill and the Senior crew member took control of the craft. The craft was landed safely with the assistance of the second Pilot and all passengers were disembarked without further incident. The service has now resumed following a short delay.
Our thoughts are with the pilot’s family and we know Hovertravel is a small, tight team, so thoughts are with them too.
Image: Eastleighbusman under CC BY 2.0
