To the editor:
On Monday afternoon, Nov. 21st my business partner and friend, Art Thompson, experienced a life-threatening situation as a result of bleeding in his brain. After a trip to the emergency room at The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC) and a resulting scan of his brain, it was determined he needed to be airlifted immediately to Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) in Bangor for emergency surgery. Art was promptly transported to the Northern Maine Regional Airport by Crown Ambulance/Crown Air where Art was greeted by a fixed wing air ambulance aircraft operated by Fresh Air, LLC and flown by pilot Gene Lynch II. After liftoff, Art was in Bangor in 36 minutes, transported to EMMC and underwent successful surgery to relieve the significant pressure that had built up in his brain.
I am so pleased to report Art’s recovery is going well and in fact he was miraculously discharged from EMMC on Nov. 28th. He is now resting comfortably at home and is expected to make a full recovery.
Although this story has a happy ending, this may not have been the case if Fresh Air, LLC’s service was not available in northern Maine. The quick assessment of Art’s condition at TAMC, the caring transport of him to the airport by Crown, and the expeditious delivery of Art to Bangor by Fresh Air likely saved his life. This was a team effort at its finest!
I’m sure this is just one of countless happy-ending stories that could be told about the importance of air ambulance service in The County, but I for one am extremely grateful this coordinated medical effort positively impacted a person who is very dear to me.
Brian N. Hamel
Presque Isle
