Month: February 2018

Tuesday 27^th February 2018 – 2.15pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

Two men, one of whom was trapped, have been treated by ambulance staff and taken to hospital following a multi-vehicle collision on the M6 this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the southbound carriageway, near to junction 7 at 11.20am and sent three ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance Crew from Cosford in a rapid response car to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered three cars, a van and a HGV that had been in collision.

“Unfortunately, one of the patients, a man in his 40s, was trapped in the van following the incident.

“Ambulance staff monitored and assessed him whilst the fire service worked to free him from the vehicle.

“He was treated for abdominal and pelvic injuries, immobilised with the use of a scoop stretcher and given pain relief before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on blue lights.

“A man in his 50s, who was a passenger in the van, had managed to get himself out. He was treated for minor abdominal and neck injuries and taken to Sandwell Hospital.

“A woman, believed to be in her 30s, who had been travelling in one of the cars was assessed and discharged at the scene with minor injuries.

“There were five other occupants of the vehicles, all of whom were uninjured in the collision.”

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Notes to Editors: If used, please credit the images to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Tuesday 27^th February 2018 – 9.40am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A woman was trapped for about an hour in her car after crashing into a tree last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Banbury Road in Stratford-Upon-Avon just after 11.35pm last night and sent one ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance Critical Care Car to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a car that had suffered substantial damage in the collision.

“The driver of the car, a woman believed to be in her 20s, was still trapped inside.

“Ambulance staff worked closely with the fire service to continually reassure and treat the woman whilst she was freed from the vehicle.

“She was treated for a fractured arm and jaw as well as cuts to her face. She was immobilised and given pain relief before being taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire on blue lights and sirens.”

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Notes to Editors:

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

Monday 26^th February 2018 – 1.30pm – Murray MacGregor.

A woman has been confirmed dead at the scene of a crash involving a lorry and a car.

The incident happened at about 9.15am this morning, Monday at the junction of the A426 and Calias Lane at Birdingbury in south Warwickshire.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a woman in a car that had suffered significant damage.

“Crews carried out advanced life support but sadly, it wasn’t possible to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The lorry had front offside damage.  The driver, a 26-year-old man, was assessed by ambulance staff; he was understandably shaken but otherwise uninjured and was discharged at the scene.

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(Library Picture)

Thursday 23rd February 2018 – 10.05am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A man has died following an incident on the M6 Toll this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 8.38am to reports of a man who had fallen from a bridge between junctions T7 and T8, near Cannock. One ambulance, a rapid response paramedic and a paramedic officer attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived on scene to find a man with serious injuries after falling from a bridge.

“Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Thursday 22nd February 2018 – 4.30pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A young child has died and a second has been seriously injured following a collision with a car this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 2.02pm to Longfellow Road in Coventry and sent four ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Critical Care Car from the Air Ambulance Service, with a medic on board, to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find two pedestrians, both young boys, who had been seriously injured following the collision with the car.

“It quickly became apparent they had both suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident and following emergency trauma care at the scene by our staff, they were both quickly transported to hospital on blue lights.

“Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire it became apparent nothing could be done to save one of the boys and he was confirmed deceased.

“The second boy was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and accompanied by the air ambulance crew who helped to administer specialist treatment en-route.

“The boy’s condition was described as critical on arrival at hospital.”

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Tuesday 20^th February 2018 – 1.50pm – Murray MacGregor.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We welcome the outcome of this unpleasant case.  We are pleased to see the press reports that the Magistrates felt that this was ‘an absolutely despicable incident’.  We hope that this case will serve as a warning to others that abusing our staff is not acceptable.

“Our staff will only block roads or park in front of drives if absolutely necessary in the interests of patient care.  In this case, they were parked at the side of the road and were not blocking a driveway.

“We would like to thank the police for their support and swift action in this case, but also to the many thousands of people who have sent us messages of support for our staff and the incredible work that they do saving lives each day.”

Kirsty Sharman, aged 26, from Tunstall, admitted a Section 5 Public Order offence when she appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre today (Tuesday 20th February).  She received a £120 fine and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £135.

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Tuesday 20^th February 2018 – 11.00am – Claire Brown.

It was a team effort by ambulance, fire and police at the scene of a serious RTC in Bromsgrove last night after a man ended up trapped beneath a car.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a two car RTC outside Bluebird Park on Bromsgrove Road, Romsley shortly before 7.00pm last night (Monday). A paramedic officer, an ambulance and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance crews arrived they found two cars which had collided; one had overturned. A man, thought to be the driver, was trapped beneath the overturned car and was in a serious condition. Ambulance staff worked to treat the man, who had suffered a number of serious injuries, whilst the fire service worked around them to carefully release him from the wreckage.

“Once freed, which took around 30 minutes, the man was given advanced pain relief and other trauma treatment before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“A woman, in her 50s, had managed to get out of the second vehicle upon arrival of the emergency services. She was assessed by crews and was found with seat belt related injuries. She was given pain relief before being taken to the same hospital for further checks.”

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Tuesday 20^th February 2018 – 7.45am – Murray MacGregor.

A pedestrian has been confirmed dead after a collision with a car.

The incident happened at just after 6.00pm on Monday evening on the A449, Stafford Road in Wolverhampton between Oxley Moor Road and Mercury Drive.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the aircrew of the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford, who responded in a car, were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said: “On arrival, ambulance crews found bystanders doing CPR on a man.  He had suffered very serious injuries.

“The man was assessed by ambulance staff but sadly, it quickly became apparent that there was nothing that could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“There was no car at the scene.”

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Monday 19^th February 2018 – 11.00am – Claire Brown.

A woman who left a vile note on an ambulance yesterday in Stoke-on-Trent has been arrested by the police on suspicion of public order offences

The ambulance crew responded to a 999 call to reports of a patient with breathing difficulties at an address in the Tunstall area of Stoke-on-Trent shortly after 11.00am on Sunday (18^th February).

The crew returned to their vehicle to take their patient to hospital to find an abusive note had been left on their windscreen which read: “If this van is for anyone but Number 14 then you have no right to be parked here. I couldn’t give a **** if the whole street collapsed now move your van from outside my house.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “As a Trust we welcome Staffordshire Police’s swift response to this incident and the arrest of the woman. We will continue to work closely with the police to ensure the perpetrator feels the full weight of the law.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy towards people who abuse our staff whilst trying to help patients in their hour of need. It is completely unacceptable and it must stop.

“As the vast majority of the public will appreciate, in our line of work the patient must always come first and therefore the nature of the job means we do sometimes have to park over a driveway or block a vehicle in. If your loved one needed an ambulance, I’m sure you’d want an ambulance to park as close to them as possible to prevent a delay in their care.

“After previous notes were left on our ambulances last year, we’ve received unimaginable support from the public for which we are immensely grateful. Sadly, as this ambulance crew discovered yesterday, there are unfortunately still a handful of narrow-minded individuals who consider leaving vile abusive notes acceptable.”

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Thursday 8^th February 2018 – 4.00pm – Murray MacGregor.

The family of a Kidderminster based Emergency Medical Technician who tragically died in a car crash last week have paid an emotional tribute to his life and the work that he loved.

Gavin Hunt and his wife were involved in a serious road traffic collision on The Terrace in Clows Top at around 7.20pm on Friday night.

Ambulance staff, including a number of off duty staff, police and firefighters all worked immensely hard at the scene to save Gavin’s life.  Sadly, despite all of the efforts he was confirmed dead at the scene.

His wife Alison, who was seriously injured, remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Gavin, 52, joined Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service in 1997 and had never had a day off sick during his career.  He was due to be presented with his 20-year Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in March at the Trust’s Award Ceremony.

In a statement Alison, Gavin’s brother Andrew and his sister, Lisa, said: “On behalf of our respective families, we would like to express our sincere thanks for all of the messages of condolence and support shown to us at this very difficult time.

“As a family, we were all very proud of Gavin’s achievements whilst working for West Midlands Ambulance Service.  Gavin loved the work that he did and dedicated his working life to helping others.  Through his work he made many friends and he became a familiar and welcome face to people in Kidderminster and the surrounding areas.

“We are extremely grateful for the efforts of Gavin’s colleagues and friends when trying to save his life in what must have been extremely difficult circumstances for all concerned.  He is not only a loss to us and his colleagues, but a loss to the whole community in which he served.”

Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “Gavin was taken away from his family, friends, colleagues and the community he served so faithfully, far too soon.

“I saw, first hand not only how deeply upset staff were at the scene but also how incredibly hard and professionally they worked with police and fire colleagues at this immensely difficult incident. Together, they truly did all they could to save Gavin’s life.

“Talking to staff, I know just how much of a well-respected member of the ambulance family in Kidderminster he was; he will be greatly missed.”

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(Flowers laid at Kidderminster Ambulance Station in memory of Gavin Hunt)

Thursday 8^th February 2018 – 1.28pm – Murray MacGregor.

A man has been airlifted to a major trauma centre after a two-car crash left both vehicles with significant damage.

The crash happened near Thorpe Bridge on Southam Rd, Southam at just before 8.00am this morning.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews found one man that had been pulled out of the wreckage by passers-by.

“The man in his 20s had suffered a fractured right leg and possible head injury.  He was given pain relief and had a leg splint applied along with a pelvic binder before being airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire.

“The driver of the other vehicle, a man in his 40s had got out of his vehicle himself.  He was taken by ambulance to Warwick Hospital with lacerations.”

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Wednesday 7^th February 2018 – 9.45am – Claire Brown.

A man was resuscitated by ambulance staff after being pulled from a river in Worcestershire last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a drowning in the River Stour near to Blossom’s Tea Room, York Street, Stourport-on-Severn shortly after 6.00pm last night (Tuesday). The Trust’s control room quickly responded a paramedic officer, HART, an ambulance and two paramedics in a response car from the Air Ambulance base in Strensham.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Emergency services arrived to find a man in the water. The fire service worked quickly to rescue the man, who had fallen into a lock, using ropes to lift him out of the water. Once rescued, ambulance crews assessed the man and found he was in cardiac arrest. The team quickly commenced advanced life support on board the ambulance where they successfully managed to restart his heart. Ambulance staff continued vital treatment en route to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. The hospital were pre-alerted to the arrival of the man, who was said to be in a critical condition.”

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Tuesday 6^th February 2018 – 9.20am – Murray MacGregor.

The driver of a car, involved in a serious crash with a lorry, has been taken to a major trauma centre after being anaesthetised on scene.

The crash happened at about 6.15am this morning (Tuesday) near the Shell Filling Station, on the A38 at Fradley, Lichfield.

Three ambulances, a paramedic officer and the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care practitioner were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a car that had suffered significant damage.

“Ambulance staff worked with firefighters to rapidly extricate the car driver from the vehicle.  The man, who was estimated to be about 40 years old, was treated on scene by ambulance staff and the doctor before being anaesthetised due to his injuries.

“He was taken by ambulance to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“The lorry driver, a 49-year-old man, had managed to get out of the lorry himself but was complaining of back and side pain.  He was immobilised and given pain relief before being taken to Queens Hospital in Burton by ambulance.”

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Monday 5^th February 2018 – 5.30pm – Murray MacGregor.

A man has been airlifted to a major trauma centre after a head on crash between two cars.

The incident happened on the A465 near Burley Gate in Herefordshire at around 2.05pm on Monday afternoon.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a BASICS Emergency Doctor from the MARS (Mercia Accident Rescue Service) and the Midlands Air Ambulances from Strensham and Cosford were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found two cars that had both suffered significant front end damage.

“A 37-year-old man had to be freed from one car; he had significant pelvic pain as well as pain in his chest area.

“He was immobilised, had a pelvic binder applied and was given pain relief before being airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where doctors were awaiting his arrival.

“The 39-year-old man driving the other car appeared uninjured but due to circumstances of the crash, he was taken to Hereford County Hospital for further assessment.

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