The Island’s Chief Ambulance Officer, Russell Thornhill, has praised Ambulance Service staff for their input into the BBC TV series, Countryside 999. The fly on the wall documentary series highlights the work of the emergency services in rural areas of Britain.

Staff were filmed over a number of weeks last year and featured in the fourth series of the daytime programme which aired on BBC One during February and March.

Russell said: “I would like to put on record my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the Paramedics and Technicians that appeared in the BBC series. Not only did they help to highlight the valuable work they do on a day to day basis, but they were also instrumental in helping to show the Island in a positive light on the UK’s most watched TV channel. I would also like to thank the members of the Manx public who agreed to be filmed during the making of the series.

“We have received a number of positive comments from the public recognising the vital service our staff perform each day.”

The Island’s Ambulance Service responded to over 8,000 emergency calls during 2015, consistently placing it as the Island’s busiest emergency service from a 999 perspective.