CLAIMS have been made that lives are at risk as the CHC hangar in Orange lies empty because a critical helicopter shortage has left the area with no rapid air response capabilities until the end of the week.

Member for Orange Russell Turner revealed a CHC Dauphin helicopter stationed at the Redmond Place headquarters had been transferred to Sydney, leaving the Central West with no vital helicopter service.

The Dauphin helicopter was already here a temporary basis after Orange’s larger 412 helicopter was sent to replace another recently damaged chopper in Wollongong.

Mr Turner launched a scathing attack on the NSW Government and ambulance service in response to the area being left with no helicopter service for several days.

“Now we are receiving what the NSW Ambulance Service has been aiming for all along which is nothing, no base directly located in and servicing the Central West,” he said.

“Ever since CHC has taken over the service we have had continual breakdowns of secondhand helicopters. The Iemma Government and the NSW Ambulance Service should hang their heads in shame.”

However the NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher and the ambulance service hit back at the claims and categorically ruled out rumours the base would be closed indefinitely.

“The pilot rostered to Orange to fly the Dauphin has had to return home to Victoria for a family medical emergency. Due to the unforeseen circumstances and the shortage of pilots endorsed to fly the Dauphin, a decision was made to replace it with a 412 to negate the existing and any future pilot shortages,” a spokesperson for the NSW Ambulance Service said.

A 412 helicopter, which is larger and better equipped than the Dauphin model, would be transferred from Melbourne to Orange by Friday, the spokesperson confirmed.

It is understood as long as the Orange hangar remains empty, any critically injured patients in Orange will incur a delay of up to an hour if a Sydney-based helicopter is called out to attend a major incident in the area.