Paramedic and patient killed as ambulance hits tree

A PARAMEDIC and an elderly patient were killed when an ambulance crashed into a tree yesterday.

The 25-year-old driver of a car was arrested at the scene.

The ambulance was carrying a patient to Southampton General Hospital when the incident happened on the A337 Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst road in Hampshire.

Hampshire Police said officers were investigating why the ambulance had left the road and hit the tree.

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The driver of the ambulance – a female paramedic – and the elderly male patient travelling in the rear of the vehicle died at the scene.

A male crew member and a male relative of the patient, who were both in the back of the ambulance, suffered serious injuries.

The crew member was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital and the patient’s relative was taken by ambulance.

Hampshire Police said a man was arrested at the scene of the crash on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care and attention.

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The double-crewed ambulance belonged to South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS).

“South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is conducting appropriate welfare checks with the families of all involved,” a spokesman for the service said.

The car involved in the incident, a blue Seat Alhambra, was travelling in the same direction as the ambulance, according to police.

The 25-year-old male driver, from Brockenhurst, was uninjured but was yesterday in police custody.

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Appealing for witnesses, Inspector Kirsty Shannon said: “This is a very tragic incident and our sympathies are with the families of the ambulance driver and patient.

“Clearly, we are in the early stages of our investigation and are examining the events prior to the collision.

“Contrary to rumours circulating, however, there is no suggestion any wildlife was involved.

“The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and arranged for the vehicle to be recovered.

“I would like to thank motorists for their patience while we responded to the incident.”