Month: April 2020

Jamie Arrowsmith – Tuesday 28^th April 2020 – 9.30am.

A man has died following a road traffic collision in Worcestershire yesterday afternoon (Monday).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to York Avenue in Droitwich Spa at 4pm after a police officer came across a man lying on the ground next to a motorbike. Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews discovered one patient, a man, who was the motorcyclist. They were told by witnesses that the motorcyclist had collided with a tree in the incident.

“The man was found in a serious condition and ambulance staff immediately began administering advanced life support.

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

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Jordan Eggington – Thursday 23rd April 2020 – 12:30pm.

A man has sadly died in a road traffic collision in Staffordshire earlier today.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports a motorcyclist had come off his bike in Cheltenham Avenue in Cheadle at 8:40am this morning (Thursday).

The Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a doctor on board attended, along with two land ambulances and a paramedic officer.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival crews found one man in a critical condition, with an off-duty paramedic already carrying out basic life support. Staff then took over and administered advanced life support on scene. But sadly, despite their best efforts, nothing could be done to save the motorcyclist and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Jordan Eggington – Wednesday 22^nd April 2020 – 2:30pm.

A group of local community first responders have stepped in to ensure a vital lifeline for their community has been maintained.

Upon learning that the local pharmacy in Albrighton had lost the ability to deliver prescriptions because their driver was self-isolating, the Albrighton and Cosford CFR’s offered to provide a vital service to members of the public in their area delivering vital medications.

Initially they agreed to help three days a week but, after the first day, the team quickly doubled that service to six days a week without hesitation. They are now into week five and have delivered well over 1,000 prescriptions to around 600 homes in their local area; always adhering to social distancing guidelines to keep everyone safe.

Not only are the responders providing members of the public with medication and essentials when they cannot – they’ve quickly realised they are the only contact some people have during these difficult times. So, when they can, they stop to have a little chat with these members of the community from the driveway before moving on. 

Mahboob Ahmed at T.A Rhodes Chemist, said: “Without these guys we don’t know what we would have done, they have provided us with a vital lifeline to get the prescriptions to people who cannot or have no way of collecting them.   On top of this they are continuing to book on and respond when tasked by WMAS.”

Nick Henry, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer in charge of community response, said: “Community First Responders are a hugely important resource for the Trust, playing a key role in responding to members of the public in their hour of need. The selflessness of our CFR’s never ceases to amaze me, and this is no exception. I’m sure their efforts are extremely appreciated by those vulnerable members of the community during these difficult times.”

(Pictured are responders Derek Mattinson, Dave Fitton and Craig Jones with the pharmacy staff.)

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Jamie Arrowsmith – Thursday 16^th April 2020 – 9.40am.

Staffordshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was arrested following an ‘appalling’ attack on one of our ambulance crews on Tuesday night in which a paramedic reported being threatened with a metal bar.

We received a phone call to a property in Blurton at 7.55pm responding to reports that a man had collapsed.

On arrival, the crew were forced to call for emergency assistance after a man became verbally abusive and allegedly threatened a male paramedic with a metal bar.

A 40-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent was arrested nearby on suspicion of affray and assault of an emergency worker before later being released under investigation pending further enquiries. If you witnessed anything, or have any further information, please contact 101 quoting incident number 659 of 14^th April.

WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “This appalling incident beggars belief at a time when the whole country is being asked to protect its NHS in the middle of the pandemic we currently find ourselves in.

“We will work with police and do everything possible to ensure justice is done in this case as I will not tolerate any attacks on my members of staff.”

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Press release issued in conjunction with West Midlands Police – Tuesday 7th April – 5:00pm.

West Midlands Police have charged a man over a brutal attack on a West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic, that left our member of staff with a broken jaw.

It’s alleged Jamie Davies lashed out after calling ambulance crews to his home in Winifred Avenue, in the Earlsdon area of Coventry, on Sunday evening (5th April).

The 21-year-old was arrested yesterday and has now been charged with wounding, plus one count of dangerous driving as he’s accused of colliding with the ambulance as he drove from the scene.

Davies also faces charges of driving with no licence or insurance, and criminal damage in relation to an incident at a doctor’s surgery in Baliol Road, Coventry, on 31 March when a glass door pane was broken.

He is set to appear at Coventry Magistrates Court via video link later today (7th April).

West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “This was a horrendous assault on one of my staff.

“At a time when the NHS is under more pressure than at any time in its history, to lose an experienced paramedic from a cowardly act like this, is beggars belief.

“I am determined that we will work with police colleagues to bring anyone who attacks my staff to justice.”

The 40-year-old paramedic – who has worked with the Trust for more than six years – required surgery to insert a metal plate into his fractured jaw.

We’re pleased to say he is now out of hospital and recovering at home; although it’s expected to be a long road to recovery. He may be away from work for several months.

We wish him all the best in his recovery.

Press release issued in conjunction with West Midlands Police – Monday 6th April – 4.30pm.

West Midlands Police have arrested a man suspected of a “sickening” attack on a paramedic that’s left the NHS front-liner with a broken jaw.

Officers were called to Winifred Avenue, Coventry, just before 9pm last night (5 April) by a crew reporting a violent patient.

Paramedics were sent to the address after a man suggested he was suffering breathing difficulties.

However, the 21-year-old lashed out as he demanded an inhaler and punched a paramedic in the face. He remains in hospital with a suspected broken jaw.

The offender drove off in a car, colliding with the ambulance as he sped away, but traffic officers detained him from a vehicle in Holyhead Road at around 1pm today.

He has been arrested on suspicion of wounding, driving off from the scene of a collision, plus criminal damage as it’s suspected he damaged a door at a GP’s surgery.

Coventry Police Chief Superintendent Mike O’Hara said: “Attacks on any emergency services staff will never be tolerated but this is a particularly sickening incident right now given that NHS workers are on the frontline of our national efforts to tackle coronavirus.

“I think I speak for the whole of Coventry in wishing the paramedic well and we hope him a speedy recovery.”

The suspect remains in custody for questioning and will also be spoken to about an incident at a doctor’s surgery in Baliol Road, in the Stoke area of Coventry, on 31 March when a glass door pane was broken.

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “This was a horrendous assault on one of my staff.

“At a time when the NHS is under more pressure than at any time in its history, to lose an experience paramedic from a cowardly act like this, beggars belief.

“I am determined that we will work with police colleagues to bring anyone who attacks my staff to justice.”

Attacks on Blue Light staff can be prosecuted under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act which comes with the potential for tougher sentences.

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