A hospital has been forced to close a helipad serving three air ambulance teams after it was wrecked by trainee American military pilots.

Footage shows the matting flying in all directions as the US Air Force Osprey took off from Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge on Wednesday.

The pad was left in tatters by the powerful draft from the tiltrotor, a hybrid between a propeller plane and helicopter.

Its crew had reportedly been taking part in a medical evacuation training exercise.

Paramedics are currently unable to airlift critically ill patients to the hospital, which is a hub for major trauma treatment used by the East Anglian, Magpas and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance services.

They instead have to fly to nearby Cambridge City Airport and drive the last three miles by ambulance.

The hospital has insisted it is still able to treat them ‘as normal’, and the airport helipad already has an East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) team based there.

The air ambulance teams which use the broken helipad said it is being repaired and will be back in use soon.

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A hospital spokesperson added: ‘Addenbrooke’s is the major trauma centre for the region, therefore quick and efficient transfer of critically ill or injured patients to the hospital is vital.

‘Using the EAAA helipad is the best alternative while the [hospital] helipad is reinstated.’

A US Air Force spokesperson said: ‘The area was surveyed according to our policies and procedures and some damage did occur.

‘We are taking steps to rectify as soon as possible.

‘Our units are continuously coordinating with our local partners to improve operations. We are greatly appreciative of the relationship and coordination we have with the U.K.’

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