Around 60 people gathered at the Knoxville airport Monday morning to welcome the Mercy One crew to the area. As previously reported on KNIA/KRLS, Mercy’s second air ambulance is now being operated out of Knoxville. At the event, the Knoxville Chamber Ambassadors officially welcomed the crew with a ribbon cutting and attendees were able to hear speeches from Dan Keough, Mercy’s Director of Emergency Transport Services who says having the additional air ambulance will result in many lives saved as patients will be able to get to the hospital much quicker. Keough says they have hired six additional people who will be based here in Knoxville.

Fire Chief Mike Roberts and Mayor Don Zoutte also spoke to attendees about how having a Mercy One helicopter will be beneficial not only to Marion County but all of southeast Iowa.

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