A boy who received a liver transplant has thanked the rescue team for saving his life.
Julian Lentz was flown to King's College Hospital in London by Irish Coast Guard rescue plane R117, based at Waterford Airport, where he received his organs.
The three-year-old lives in New Ross, County Wexford with his wife Camilla, 30, and Kristan, 34.
He fell ill at three months old and, after tests at Wexford General Hospital, Crumlin Hospital and King's College Hospital, was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a liver disease in which one or more bile ducts become blocked, absent or too narrow.
Camilla said: “It was a difficult, trying time with Julian being ill.
“As his condition worsened we could no longer bear to watch, so in November 2013 Kristan and I decided to get tested to see if we could become living donors.
“He was deemed suitable and the operation will take place at King's College.
“But disaster struck, Julian caught a cold and the medical team was unable to perform the operation.
“It felt like our world and Julian's suffering would never end. We had to go home. We were so devastated.”
“But just when we thought we were back to square one, we got a call that a liver donor had been found, and Julian's life and ours changed forever.”
The helicopter crew were Captain Steve Gladstone, co-pilot Danny Wright, winch operator Neville Murphy and winchman Richie Wallace.
Mr Neville said: “Rescue 117 arrived at London Heathrow Airport in record time with valuable cargo.
“On landing, the plane was met by a waiting London Ambulance Service who took the boy and his parents to King's College Hospital.
“The crew of R117 breathed a sigh of relief as they refueled, completed their mission and headed home, ready for their next mission.
“This was the first mission of this kind since the introduction of the Sikorsky 92.”
Today, Julian and his parents paid a surprise visit to the base to thank the crew.
Mr Neville said: “It was certainly an emotional day for all involved and Julian and his parents were given a VIP tour of the base and helicopter ride.”
Camilla, who is pregnant with her second baby, added: “I can't thank the crew enough for their kindness.”
