Man trapped dying patient in 999 road rage

Dale Barker, 46, pursued the emergency vehicle for more than a mile after the ambulance driver clipped his wing mirror causing minor damage when Barker failed to heed sirens and get out of the way.

When the ambulance arrived at the Bradford Royal Infirmary Barker pulled up so close to the rear doors that medics could not open them to get the patient out and he was caught on CCTV arguing with the crew.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that the patient, a 42-year-old man collected from the Wyke area, later died.

Last month electrical installer Barker, of Ascot Drive, Bradford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in September last year.

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye told the court that the patient, who was not named in court, suffered a heart attack while the ambulance crew were present and they took to take him to the BRI.

The court heard that while Gemma Richardson was driving the vehicle her colleague was in the back performing CPR on the patient.

On Beckside Road the driver was confronted by queuing traffic which included Barker in his van.

‘’The sirens and flashing lights were activated and Gemma Richardson was carefully manoeuvring around the queuing traffic,’’ said Miss Kaye.

“All of the traffic moved apart from the defendant in his van. As the ambulance passed the defendant’s van it clipped the wing mirror.’’

Miss Kaye said minor damage was caused to the mirror, but as the ambulance continued the driver heard a horn blowing.

The ambulance driver realised Barker was following and described him being very close to the back of her vehicle.

Miss Kaye said the ambulance driver felt she had to keep a careful watch on Barker’s van which impeded her progress to the hospital.

The driver said she could see Barker’s face and described him as being angry and making gestures towards her.

During the pursuit which covered a distance of 1.6 miles Barker was also said to have followed the ambulance through a red light.

Miss Kaye said at the hospital the patient was eventually taken out the ambulance but he subsequently died.

During police questioning Barker said the ambulance had taken his wing mirror off and he panicked and chased after it.

Barker described the incident as a silly mistake.

Miss Kaye said he told police he was very sorry and admitted having a problem with his temper.

Barrister Yunus Valli, for Barker, said he was suffering various stresses at the time but that was no excuse or justification.

Mr Valli said Barker was a hard-working man who contributed positively to society and he acknowledged, with the benefit of hindsight, that he should not have done what he did.

Mr Valli submitted that it was a spur of the moment offence which did not involve excessive speed and there had been no damage to other vehicles.

He said his client had apologised for what he did to the officers who arrested and interviewed him.

The Honorary Recorder of Bradford Judge James Stewart QC told Barker that he had made a stupid mistake.

‘’I accept that what you did was a momentary lapse. You reacted angrily to the ambulance having struck your wing mirror,’’ the judge told him.

Barker was made the subject of a 12-month community order which includes a requirement to do 150 hours unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for a year and must take an extended test at the end of the disqualification.