Jetpacks to the rescue on UK mountains

England’s Great North Air Ambulance Service is testing a new jet suit for its paramedics to reach hikers in distress.

It could entirely change the way emergency services operate on Britain’s mountains.

In one of the exercises, a test pilot flew from the bottom of a valley to a simulated casualty site.

The team says it took just 90 seconds to fly over terrain that would have taken 25 minutes on foot.

In some situations, the time saved could mean the difference between life and death.

The suit is the result of a partnership between the ambulance service and UK-based Gravity Industries.

The 1050bhp system relies on miniature jet engines and can fly up to an altitude 3,658 metres (12,000 feet), although it’s flown lower for safety reasons and its usage will be restricted during heavy rainfall or snow.

The team says the jet suit could be used for real rescues as early as next summer.