Calif. medical helicopter grounded after being tagged by vandals

By Bill Carey
EMS1

HESPERIA, Calif. — A rescue helicopter serving Southern California is grounded indefinitely after being vandalized over the weekend at Hesperia Airport.

The Mercy Air helicopter will stay out of commission pending inspection, KCAL reported.

Contracted by San Bernardino County, Mercy Air operates Hesperia’s only helicopter to transport critically injured patients to trauma centers like Loma Linda, 40 miles away.

“To thoroughly assess and restore the aircraft, we placed the Hesperia Air Medical Base out of service while our local team works diligently to remove the graffiti and inspect for any additional damage,” Mercy Air said in a statement. “In the meantime, we continue supporting Hesperia and the surrounding High Desert communities with our three other nearby Mercy Air bases.”

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating, estimating damages in the thousands. Hesperia Airport has announced plans to strengthen security measures in response.

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