Kent Air Ambulance Memorial - Blue Bell Hill Burham Kent
Posted by: 
dave-harris
N 51° 19.887 E 000° 30.044
31U E 325891 N 5689650
A memorial to the three people who lost their lives in the course of duty. They were: Pilot, Graham Budden. The two paramedics were Tony Richardson and Mark Darby.
Waymark Code: WMB40M
Location: South East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/02/2011
Views: 11
Kent's air ambulance is a registered charity established in 1989. The trust was founded by Kate Chivers. The £1.6m that it costs to run each year is funded entirely by voluntary donations and fund-raising.
The trust suffered a tragedy in July 1998 when the air ambulance (at the time a Eurocopter AS355 Twin Squirrel, registration G-MASK[11]) crashed in good weather after colliding with power cables near Burham whilst returning to Rochester Airport following an aborted call to attend a road accident. All three crew - the pilot, Graham Budden, and two paramedics, Tony Richardson and Mark Darby - were killed on impact.
Initial investigation established no cause for the crash, due to the fireball produced on impact. Controversy ensued when the pilot's employers, Police Aviation Services, denied liability. On 19 February 2004, following a civil case brought by the pilot's widow to the High Court in Manchester, it ruled that the crash was caused by mechanical failure not, as had been suggested, flying low for fun, and ordered compensation to be paid.
A memorial to the crew is located at the Bluebell Hill picnic site, close to the scene of the crash.
Parking is available at the memorial site.
Disaster Date: 07/26/1998
Memorial Sponsors: Kent Air Ambulance Trust
Parking Coordinates: N 51° 19.887 W 000° 30.044
Disaster Type: Technological
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
Date of dedication: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
A photo of the memorial from a different angle or view than what is already posted is requested. If a camera is not available, please give a detailed description so that we can get an idea of your visit. Please list anything that has changed since the waymark was created.