A COUNTY Air Ambulance helicopter was in a near-miss with an RAF fighter plane over Worcestershire, it has been revealed.

Bond Air Services, which runs the air ambulance, yesterday confirmed one of its aircraft had come close to colliding with a Harrier jump jet at its Strensham base earlier this month.

An official investigation is now under way into the incident, which happened on Wednesday, February 9.

Details as to how close the two aircraft came close to colliding have not been released.

It is also not known if there was a patient on board the air ambulance at the time.

"We can only confirm there was the presence of a military aircraft over the heliport at our base in Strensham at the same time as an air ambulance EC135 helicopter," said a spokesman for Bond Air.

A meeting has been set up with West Worcestershire MP, Sir Michael Spicer, to discuss the near tragedy.

Sir Michael will meet with crews from the County Air Ambulance base this Monday, February 28.

Following this meeting, Sir Michael has vowed to take the issue up with the Ministry of Defence.

"I was extremely disturbed to learn of the reports of this near miss," he said.

Flight path

"This area has for a very long time been a flight path used by the Royal Air Force to train pilots in low flying. However, it is clearly of the utmost importance that this should not put lives at any risk.

"For this reason I attach great significance to my meeting with those responsible for the County Air Ambulance service.

"Afterwards I will be in a position to decide how best to take the matter up with the MoD."

An assessment is being carried out by the independent panel AIRPROX and the Civil Aviation Authority has said it will carry out any changes to proceedures if they are needed.

The Ministry of Defence were unavailable to give a response to the "near miss" allegations when approached by the Evening News this morning.