Norton Children's Hospital Airbus EC-145 helicopter

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Norton Children's Hospital has a new means of transporting little patients to the medical professionals who can save their lives.

Norton Children's Hospital Airbus EC-145 helicopter

The hospital showed off its brand-new $12 million Airbus EC-145 helicopter Tuesday morning. The chopper will be used to transport critically ill patients from communities throughout Kentucky and Indiana to the hospital.

The aircraft is fully equipped with the latest devices and equipment to treat the most complex cases.

"This aircraft gives us the ability to fly in inclement weather and reach more kids than we have ever reached in the past throughout the entire region," said Emmett Ramser, chief administrative officer for Norton Children's Hospital. 

He added that, "the technology and controls are just enhanced over the previous model that we had."

The helicopter is expected to make up to 300 runs a year.

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