Month: January 2016

Friday 8^th January 2016 – 8.45am – Chris Kowalik.

 

A man has died following a suspected collision with a car in Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Hollybank Road in the Kings Heath area of the city shortly after 4.30am today.

Two rapid response vehicles driven by a paramedic and a paramedic area support officer attended along with two ambulance crews and the Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) consisting of a trauma doctor and a critical care practitioner.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews administered advanced life support on the man but despite their best efforts, he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Thursday 7^th January 2016 – 5.00pm – John Hawker.

A horse rider has died after an incident in Warwickshire this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to The Slade, Fenny Compton, Southam at around 11.15am.  Two ambulances, a BASICS Doctor and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a woman that had suffered serious injuries after falling from a horse.

“The woman was in traumatic cardiac arrest and advanced life support was carried out at the scene by medics.

“Unfortunately, despite everyone’s best efforts, nothing could be done to save the woman’s life and she was sadly confirmed dead at the scene.”

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We have no further details on this incident.

 Wednesday 6^th January 2015 – 4.40pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

 

Four people, three of whom have been seriously injured, have been treated by ambulance crews at the scene of a collision between a van and a tree this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Clee Road, Dudley, shortly before 1.40pm and sent four ambulances, two paramedic officers, a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, the West Midlands CARE team and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival at the scene, crews discovered four patients, two men who were travelling in the front of the van and two women, rear seat passengers.

“The front seat passenger, a man believed to be in his 30s, was rapidly removed from the vehicle shortly after crews arrived in order to stabilise his condition. He was treated for a number of serious injuries, immobilised and given pain relief before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

“Following assessment from ambulance staff, the driver was cut out of the vehicle by the fire service and treated for multiple injuries. He was also immobilised and given pain relief before being taken to the same hospital.

“In the rear of the van, a woman believed to be in her 30s was assisted out by the fire service, treated for arm and leg injuries and again, taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

“The fourth patient, a woman also thought to be in her 30s, had already been assisted out of the vehicle by bystanders prior to our arrival. She was treated for chest and rib injuries and taken to Russells Hall Hospital.

“All four patients were taken by land ambulance.”

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Tuesday 5^th January 2016 – 6.10pm – Chris Kowalik.

A man has died following a house explosion in Wolverhampton.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to an address in the city shortly after 3.20pm today.

An ambulance crew, a paramedic area support officer, a senior paramedic officer, the West Midlands CARE Team, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford and the Hazardous Area Response Team attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Wearing personal protective clothing and using breathing apparatus, the Hazardous Area Response Team entered the building with the fire service where they found the body of a man. He was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Tuesday 5^th January 2016 – 1pm – Chris Kowalik.

An off-duty anaesthetist consultant and his paediatrician doctor wife were the first at the scene to help after a car crash on the M6 this morning.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the northbound carriageway at junction 15 at 8.35am and sent three ambulances and a senior paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said:: “Two cars were involved in the collision.

“Two off-duty clinicians who were passing the scene stopped to help before ambulance crews arrived.

“In one of the cars were a man and a woman. She had pelvic and leg injuries. She was given pain relief, a leg splint and pelvic binder were applied and she was immobilised as a precaution. He had an arm injury and a minor chest injury. He was also immobilised as a precaution and was given pain relief.

“A man who was driving the other car involved managed to get himself out and was a ‘walking wounded’ casualty with minor injuries.
“All three were taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital.”

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Tuesday 5^th January 2016 – 10.50am – Chris Kowalik.

A man has been flown to a major trauma centre after the car he was driving collided with another in Shropshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the B4396 between Knockin and Llynclys shortly after 6.20am today.

Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle and the MERIT trauma team attended. The Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford landed on the illuminated helipad at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry because it was still too dark at the time to land at the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “One of the drivers, a man in his twenties, was trapped in his car and had to be freed with the help of the fire service. He had numerous serious injuries. He was given advanced pain relief and was immobilised at the scene. He was then taken by land ambulance to the waiting air ambulance at Oswestry for the flight to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further treatment from its trauma team.

“The other driver, a woman in her thirties, had a suspected dislocated shoulder. She was given pain relief and a splint was applied. She was taken by land ambulance to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.”

Picture: West Midlands Ambulance Service

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Monday 4^th January 2016 – 5.30pm – Claire Brown.

Ambulance staff treated six patients, one of which needed airlifting to hospital, following a collision involving three vehicles in Rugby this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A428 Coventry Road in Church Lawford just after 2.00pm (Monday). Three ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance with a doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “One car had a young boy trapped inside with serious injuries. Ambulance staff worked quickly with the fire service to extricate him from the car whilst the doctor delivered trauma care. Once released from the wreckage, he was immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board before being airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further treatment.

“The driver from the same car, a man, and a second boy had managed to get out of the overturned vehicle before emergency services arrived. Both were assessed but had thankfully escaped serious injury. They were taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire as a precaution due to the nature of the collision.

“A mother and daughter were in the second car which had overturned. Upon assessment by ambulance crews the mother, believed to be in her 40s, was found with neck and back pain and had to be extricated from the vehicle onto a spinal board. Her daughter suffered minor injuries and were both taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further checks.

“The lorry driver was uninjured.”

ENDS

Monday 4th January 2016 – 3.40pm – Murray MacGregor.

Christmas may be over but not all of the kids have gone back to school yet. West Midlands Ambulance Service staff have just been dealing with a 6 year old boy who was in collision with a car.

It happened on a busy High Street in Tunstall, Stoke at just before 1.50pm today (Monday). A six year old boy has suffered a fractured ankle after the collision.

A rapid response vehicle and an ambulance were on scene within four minutes, with a paramedic area support officer there shortly after.

Thankfully, it appears it was a fairly low speed collision so the injuries are not as bad as they could have been.

The youngster was given pain relief and had his leg splinted before being taken by ambulance to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further care.

The car driver was understandably shaken but unhurt.

It is really important we all look out for each other on the roads, especially on a grey day like today.
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Monday 4^th January 2016 – 8.50am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

 

Two men were trapped in a car after it overturned in a collision with street furniture in Birmingham last night (Sunday).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Kingston Road in Birmingham just after 11.45pm and sent three ambulances, a paramedic area support officer, a MERIT trauma doctor and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered a car that had overturned after colliding with street furniture.

“There were two patients, both men in their 30s, who were trapped in the car.

“Crews assessed both men and stabilised their condition prior to them being cut free by the fire service.

“The driver of the car was treated for serious leg injuries and chest pain. He was immobilised and given pain relief before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. The doctor travelled on the back of the ambulance to continue treatment en-route.

“The passenger was treated for injuries to his back and face. He was also immobilised and given pain relief before being taken to the same hospital.”

ENDS

Sunday 3^rd January 2016 – 6.25pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

 

Three children are amongst four patients who were treated by ambulance crews following a collision between a car and a tree on the M40 this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the northbound carriageway between junctions 15 and 16, just before the M42 interchange at 1.45pm. Three ambulances, a paramedic area support officer, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered a car that had suffered significant damage to the side of the vehicle after leaving the main carriageway, travelling approximately 15ft down an embankment and colliding with a tree.

“There were four patients, one of whom, a young boy, was trapped in the vehicle.

“Once medics had assessed him, he was assisted out with the help of the fire service. He was then treated for minor injuries and transported to Heartlands Hospital by land ambulance.

“The fact he was properly fastened into a car seat appears to have helped him avoid more serious injuries in the collision.

“A young teenage girl was treated for a suspected broken arm whilst another young girl was treated for very minor injuries.

“The driver of the car, a woman believed to be in her 30s, also received treatment for minor injuries and along with all other patients, was taken to Heartlands Hospital by land ambulance.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

If used, please credit the image to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Sunday 3^rd January 2016 – 6pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A woman cyclist has died following a collision with a car this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Holt Lane in Napton, Southam, near to Headlands Farm, shortly before 10.45am and sent an ambulance, a paramedic area support officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived on scene they discovered a cyclist lying in the road following a collision with a car.

“Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that due to the serious injuries suffered in the incident, nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The driver of the car, a woman believed to be in her 60s, was treated for the effects of shock and discharged on scene whilst a second cyclist, also a woman, did not require medical attention.”

ENDS

 

Friday 1^st January 2016 – 8.30pm – Claire Brown.

A man is in a critical condition after a collision involving a car in Stoke-on-Trent this evening.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Victoria Road in Fenton at around 6.00pm (Friday). An ambulance crewed by a paramedic and senior paramedic officer attended the scene together with a paramedic area support.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When the paramedics arrived they found a pedestrian, a man, who had sustained serious injuries following a collision with a car.

“Due to the nature of his condition, the three paramedics worked as a team to administer vital trauma care at the roadside before quickly transferring him by land ambulance on blue lights to Royal Stoke University Hospital; advanced treatment continued en route.

“Upon arrival in A&E the man was said to be in a critical condition.”

ENDS

 

 

Friday 1^st January 2016 – 5.25am – Chris Kowalik.

Hundreds of West Midlands Ambulance Service staff gave up their New Year to ensure the public had a happy and safe night.

More ambulance crews were on duty for a New Year than ever before for such a night.

It meant the ambulance service was in a strong position to deal with the expected influx of calls and, as expected there was a steady increase in those calls in the last four hours of 2015, towards midnight.

Between 8pm and midnight, there were 634 ‘999’ calls, an increase of nearly 7% on the same period a year earlier.

The local breakdown of calls was as follows:

Birmingham 145

Black Country 142

Worcestershire 68

Shropshire 32

Herefordshire 22

Coventry & Warwickshire 86

Staffordshire 123

 

The first ‘999’ call of 2016 came in just thirty seconds into the New Year. As expected, the busiest hour was between 1am and 2am as more alcohol-related calls came in including assaults, falls and unconscious patients.

From midnight until 4am, there were 995 ‘999’ calls, an increase of 15% on the same period a year earlier.

The local breakdown of calls was as follows:

Birmingham 243

Black Country 215

Worcestershire 68

Shropshire 66

Herefordshire 25

Coventry & Warwickshire 112

Staffordshire.212

 

A highlight of the night for the ambulance service was the successful resuscitation of a young man who collapsed having suffered a cardiac arrest in a nightclub in Birmingham. It happened outside “6 on Broad Street” shortly after 1am. A senior paramedic officer, a community paramedic, an ambulance crew and the MERIT trauma team consisting of a trauma doctor and critical care practitioner attended. They were joined by a British Red Cross Commander and a nurse from the Temporary Minor Injury Unit operating during the night. The man who was in his late teens was delivered a shock by a defibrillator, given advanced life support by the crews which included being anaesthetised and his airway maintained before being taken to City Hospital.

However, also in Birmingham, an ambulance was taken off the road after a window was smashed by would-be thieves who were targeting the vehicle’s built-in satnav. It happened in Elliott Road in the Selly Oak area of the city at approx. 10pm on New Year’s Eve. The ambulance crew were not injured and later continued the rest of their shift in another ambulance.

Picture: West Midlands Ambulance Service

It was the Temporary Minor Injuries Unit’s ninth year in Birmingham city centre. It was based in the Library of Birmingham and provided immediate treatment for patients who had suffered alcohol intoxication and other minor illnesses and injuries; patients that are not likely to be admitted after assessment in A&E. In turn, it helped free-up availability of ambulances and capacity at A&E departments. It was staffed by West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics and emergency medical technicians and volunteers from British Red Cross and St John Ambulance.

Combined with the City Centre Treatment Unit normally provided every weekend in Birmingham’s Broad Street, a total of 33 patients were seen, 22 of whom were treated and discharged at the scene. 11 were transferred to hospital.

Unfortunately, one of the volunteers working at the Temporary Minor Injuries Unit was spat at and the offender was arrested by police.

Paramedic Officer Jason Wiles said: “It was a busy night but we managed because of our planning and the help of our partner agencies.”

Meanwhile in Shrewsbury, West Midlands Ambulance Service, along with Community First Responders, St John Ambulance volunteers and the street pastors, ran the town’s first Temporary Minor Injury Unit.

Paramedic Officer Cliff Medlicott who was running the unit said: “We dealt with some alcohol-related patients, one of whom ultimately needed to go to A&E, others we helped on their way home.”

And in Hereford, an Emergency Care Practitioner and an Emergency Medical Technician were at ‘Emilia’s’ to join the city’s street pastors in running a temporary minor injuries unit. Nine patients were seen at the unit, eight of which were treated and discharged. Only one, who had a head injury, went on to A&E.

Emergency Care Practitioner Patrick Vennard said: “We worked well with the street pastors. It was a very smooth operation and, potentially, we have kept eight patients out of A&E.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive Anthony Marsh said: “I am very grateful and very proud of all my staff that worked through the year and through the night to keep everyone safe, putting the public before themselves and their families.

“I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.”

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Notes to Editors:

Interview requests – Interviews may be possible from 9.00am onwards on New Year’s Day only. Contact the duty press officer by email: pressoffice@wmas.nhs.uk

The press office reopens on Monday 4^th January for day-to-day regular enquiries.