Several park goers had a surprise drop-in visit from an air ambulance after it landed to oversee an emergency call out.

The emergency service touched down in Larsens Recreation Park in Waltham Abbey at around 11.15am on Wednesday, July 23.

Gilchrust Thomas, a bus driver from Waltham Abbey, spotted the aircraft descending whilst travelling home after work.

He said: “I was driving on Sewardstone Road heading towards Honey Lane when I noticed a helicopter flying low.

“I stopped to look out on to Larsens Park to see a paramedic, the pilot and three medics heading towards the entrance to an elderly man appearing visibly poorly.

“They then put him on the stretcher and carried him on to the air ambulance.

“It was a spectacular sight to sere a helicopter land that close.”

The emergency team where at the scene for around 35mins until they took off to a nearby hospital around 11.45am.

Mr Thomas noted that complaints from the Waltham Abbey community had been growing recently about safety concerns at Larsens Park.

Health and safety risks and the poor upkeep of the children playing area, were one of many issues raised following the elderly gentleman falling ill.

The bus driver also stated that the medics responded in a professional manner and everyone who was at the scene wished the pensioner a speedy recovery knowing he was in good hands.