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UT LIFESTAR emergency calls up 30% from last summer

Have you noticed a lot of helicopters buzzing overhead recently? UT LIFESTAR is in the middle of trauma season, and this summer is busier than normal.

If you think you've seen more emergency helicopters flying throughout the skies lately, officials say that's because there are more calls coming in.

UT's LIFESTAR helicopter service is noticing about a 30% increase this summer compared to last.

"Trauma season will last until September and that makes sense because people are out enjoying themselves," UT LIFESTAR Director, Phyllis Walker, said.

Walker said weekends are always the busiest. For example, lately they've seen up to 40 calls in one weekend.

"We've definitely had more boating accidents. People are out traveling more, maybe because they feel good about the economy," Walker said.

Walker said despite the uptick, her crews aren't stretched thin.

With the five aircrafts, these guys are good about turning these things around fast and getting back out into the community.

It's not just locals, LIFESTAR's director also said she's noticed more emergency situations involving people from out of town.

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