Yorkshire Air Ambulance flies in with award for Beth’s Angels

Mark Larkin is presented with an award by Andy Hall, YAA pilot, and Kerry Garner.

Mark Larkin set up Beth’s Angels after his cousin Bethany was killed in the M62 hen party minibus crash near Pontefract in 2013.

Trainee nurse Bethany, of South Elmsall, near Pontefract, was killed and 12 women were seriously injured in the incident.

A total of 21 women were on the bus which had been travelling from South Elmsall to a hen party in Liverpool when it was in collision with a lorry.

Beth’s Angels has helped to raise £12,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the team flew in to present a special Supporters Award to charity founder Mark Larkin.

Mr Larkin, landlord of the Barnsley Oak pub in South Elmsall, said: “It’s all in memory of our Beth at the end of the day.

“I started the charity but it’s everyone around here and across the area that has raised the money.

“I’m accepting the award on behalf of the whole community and it is an honour.

“The money we are raising is all helping the service.

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is close to my heart because the day when it happened, both the helicopters were out of commission.

“Two or three of the women would not have survived the crash without helicopters that came from Nottingham and the North East.

“Some of the pilots and staff come in my pub now and we’re good friends which is nice.”

The award was presented to Mr Larkin after a helicopter landed on a field next to the Asda Superstore in Glass Houghton.

An emblem, carrying a Beth’s Angels logo and designed by her sister Amy, has been placed on the side of both air ambulances.

Organisers at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance said the charity was grateful for those who had helped fundraise for the lifesaving service.

Kerry Garner, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Regional fundraising manager, said: “Following the tragic accident in 2013, the local community have really pulled together in and around the South Elmsall area to support the Beth’s Angels charity and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“We are very grateful to all involved and the Recognition Award is very much deserved.”