Write a comment
The victim of a road traffic collision in Newry this afternoon, Saturday 4 April, had to lie in the middle of the road in the wind, cold and rain for over an hour and a half waiting for an ambulance, and then the ambulance that did arrive and take them to hospital was a St John's Ambulance, that just by pure luck was passing by on its return from an event - not the one that was called!
Apology
In a statement to Newry.ie NI Ambulance service have unreservedly apologised to the patient and their family.
4.15pm
The incident happened at the junction of Canal Street/ Erskine Street/ Catherine Street in Newry just before 4.15pm and Emergency services were called around the same time. Police were quickly on the scene and a passing nurse and first aider provided the person with assistance.
Police sheltered the person from the elements with umbrellas as best as they could. Thankfully staff in a passing St John's Ambulance agreed to assist and remove them to hospital around 5.50pm.
NIAS Statement
Newry.ie asked the NI Ambulance Service for comment. In their reply they said:
"The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service recieved a 999 call at 16:10 on Saturday 4 April following reports of a RTC on Canal Street Newry involving a car and pedestrian.
"Unfortunately NIAS had no ambulances available to respond to this call in as timely a manner as the patient would expect and within a timescale that NIAS would strive to achieve.
"NIAS accepts that it is unacceptable that a patient would have to wait such a length of time, particularly given the prevailing weather conditions.
"We would like to take this opportunity to, unreservedly, apologise to the patient and their family.
"We would also like to acknowledge and thank both PSNI and St John Ambulance for the care provided to the patient at a time when we were unable."
Personal Footnote: As someone who happened on the scene I would like to commend the PSNI, nurse, first aider and most importantly the St John's Ambulance crew for their compassion and professionalism.
