Harrison Thorp 11:42 a.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2020 11:45 am

The plane, which is loaded with PPE, left Shanghai, China bound for Manchester last night. (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced today that some 45 tons of personal protective equipment is headed to Manchester from China.

A FedEx cargo plane carrying the shipment is expected to touch down at Manchester Airport around 3:30 p.m. after clearing customs in Alaska early this morning. New Hampshire inventor Dean Kamen helped spearhead getting the PPE shipment.

"One month ago New Hampshire wasn't even in the business of PPE procurement, and today we secured 45 metric tons of this critical lifesaving equipment for our state," said the governor. "We worked around the clock, scoured the earth, and left no stone unturned to ensure New Hampshire has the resources it needs to combat this pandemic. Huge thanks to Dean Kamen for facilitating this effort, and all others who worked tirelessly to make it a reality -- I couldn't be prouder."

The plane will be delivering lifesaving personal protective equipment which will be immediately distributed to Granite Staters on the frontlines.

"I congratulate and thank Dean Kamen for spearheading this heroic effort," said U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.