RAF Hercules transfer twins to hospital

Twins born prematurely on a Scottish island are said to be in a stable condition after being transferred to the mainland on an RAF Hercules jet.

The mother went into labour at 27 weeks and gave birth to the babies, a boy and girl, in hospital in Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, on Sunday night.

Medics worked through the night to stabilise the twins before the flight to a hospital in Glasgow.

The Hercules aircraft had to be brought in due to snow and high winds.

Consultants from the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow, who were flown out to Stornoway by a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter, travelled with the twins.

Dr Lesley Jackson, a consultant at the hospital, explained why the team drafted in the help of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

She said: "It quickly became apparent, because of the very poor weather conditions, that going by air ambulance would not be possible."