Air Life Needed Again in Helotes
Imagine my surprise when, at around 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, Helotes Police Officers completely blocked traffic going both ways on Bandera Road (Hwy. 16) at Circle A Trail. I was waiting at the red light, when several police cars pulled up and blocked the entire intersection.
Police cars completely blocked the intersection
One of the officers told me they were awaiting an Air Life helicopter because of a medical emergency. I asked why they were landing in the middle of the highway, instead of on the soccer fields behind the Exxon as they usually do, and was told that the soccer fields were too wet, and the helicopter would sink in the mud.
To me, there did seem to be some confusion about stopping the traffic. The lanes were completely blocked by police vehicles, keeping the road clear so the helicopter could land, but when Mayor Schoolcraft arrived on the scene, he told the police to let the cars on both sides of Bandera Road go. I assume that was because there was no sign of the helicopter yet, but I was surprised to see the Mayor out in the middle of the highway telling the police officers what to do and how to handle the traffic.
Air Life arrives in Helotes
It appeared to me that they were expecting the helicopter to land in the middle of the intersection, but when it arrived, it landed on the southbound side of Bandera Road, right in front of the little strip center next to City Hall. Again I’m guessing, but it was probably because of all the wires in the intersection.
Air Life helicopter lands on Bandera Road
They quickly walked over to the ambulance waiting in a nearby parking lot, transported the patient over to, and loaded him on, the helicopter, and took off.
Air Life takes off heading to the hospital
At the Council meeting last night, the Mayor announced that Assistant Police Chief Rob Hunley was the patient loaded into the helicopter. He had become ill Wednesday morning while mowing his lawn, and he sought help at the Helotes Fire Station, where he had a heart attack. He had “died” and been revived several times while waiting for the helicopter.
According to the Mayor, Hunley regained consciousness again on the flight to the hospital and was stabilized. He ultimately had three stents placed in arteries in his heart and is now doing much better. He got out of Intensive Care on Thursday and is expected to remain in the hospital for another week.
Assistant Police Chief Hunley has been with the Helotes Police Department for approximately 20 years. His wife, Yolanda, works at Ella’s Barber Shop and Beauty Salon.