An elderly couple say they have been left feeling ‘vulnerable’ after a wall blown over by an air ambulance in August is yet to be replaced.

Judith and Alan Cowchman, of Fullers Close in Waltham Abbey, were horrified when the helicopter destroyed the garden wall while struggling to land in fields behind their home.

Since the incident, which happened more than two months ago, Mrs Cowchman claims the emergency services called her for the first time last week and only exchanged two emails prior to that.

Mr Cowchman, 85, who was home alone at the time, said: “I felt as though I was going to panic, I thought 'this is it, the end is coming'.

“It was so low, I couldn’t believe it.

“We have trees all around the house and the force coming from the rotary blades knocked the wall down."

The helicopter, which was called after concerns were raised for a neighbour, soon aborted the landing and flew to nearby Hill House.

The cost to repair the damage to the wall has been estimated between £3,800 to £5,200.

Mrs Cowchman, 78, said: “We just feel very vulnerable, the wall leaves our garden and house very open and although there have not been any incidents you can’t help but be worried.

“We just really want our wall fixed as soon as possible.

“Alan was taken into hospital two weeks after with pains in his chest and I had to call an ambulance. I am sure it was delayed shock.”

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance took to Twitter yesterday afternoon in an appeal for local builders to perform the work.

It said: “@Essexairamb Would any builders/bricklayers/apprentice schemes be able to help us build a simple brick wall in Waltham Abbey? Please Rt. Thank you”.

Operations Director, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Cliff Gale said: "It is a fact that on very few occasions damage is caused to property on the ground.

"Any damage is obviously unintentional and regrettable.

"However, should this happen there is a process where the operator, Medical Aviation Services, investigates the claim and where substantiated, cause the owner to be compensated."

Henk Schaeken, Managing Director, Medical Aviation Services, said: "The area has been cleared up and made safe at our cost. 

"We are in discussion with our insurers and the property owner about the re-building of the wall.”