Month: June 2020

Jamie Arrowsmith – Tuesday 30^th June 2020 – 9.40am.

Three people have received treatment for multiple injuries after a car collided with a tree and overturned in the early hours of this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Dartmouth Avenue in Newcastle, Stoke-on-Trent at 12.22am and sent three ambulances, a paramedic officer and two BASICS doctors to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews discovered a car that had suffered significant damage in the incident and three patients, all of whom had managed to get themselves out of the vehicle.

“The three patients, two women and a man, were all assessed by ambulance staff and treated for multiple serious injuries, though not thought to be life-threatening.

“They were then taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further treatment.”

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Murray MacGregor – Thursday 25th May 2020 – 2.30pm.

A man has been injured after crashing as he went to take off on a hang glider.

The incident happed on Perseverence Hill, Upper Wyche in Malvern at shortly after midday on Thursday.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car with a doctor on board were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, the crew were told that the man had fallen about 10-12 feet.

“He had suffered a number of injuries but was able to walk back to the ambulance where he was fully assessed.

“After treatment he was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.”

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Jordan Eggington – Wednesday 24^th June 2020 – 2:15pm.

Two patients have been assessed, after a helicopter had to make an emergency landing in Warwickshire this lunchtime.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 12:19pm to reports of a helicopter on fire after making an emergency landing outside the Masons Arms in Long Marston. One ambulance, a senior paramedic officer and four paramedic officers attended the scene.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance said: “On arrival, crews discovered the helicopter well ablaze.  There were two patients at the scene, who had managed to get out of the helicopter safely.

“Thankfully, they were uninjured in the incident and able to be discharged at the scene.”

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Murray MacGregor – Monday 22^nd June 2020 – 4.55pm.

Dozens of apprentices working for West Midlands Ambulance Service are making an ‘outstanding’ contribution in the fight to provide exceptional patient care during the corona virus pandemic.

At any one time, up to 60 apprentices can be learning their trade with the Trust’s non-emergency patient transport service (PTS) working on contracts in Coventry, Warwickshire, Birmingham, the Black Country and Cheshire.

Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Michelle Brotherton, who runs the Trust’s PTS service said: “Our apprentices have really risen to the challenge during the coronavirus outbreak.  They form part of our PTS crews and have been dealing with both Covid and non-Covid patients during the pandemic, which has allowed us to provide the very highest standard of patient care.

“We see them as exactly the same as our full-time staff.  Only today, six apprentices passed their course and we offered them permanent positions with the Trust.  We have an excellent record of supporting our apprentices to achieve all they can.”

Gill Durkin, business development director of PTP Training, which trades as Performance Through People, said: “We have been overwhelmed at the outstanding response of our apprentices during this difficult time.

“Those working on the front line in the health service have been both extremely brave and busy at work, whilst also making the time to continue with their learning.”

Dylan Bamber is an apprentice on the WMAS Cheshire Patient Transport Service contract and is based in Warrington.  Just 17, he said: “COVID-19 has made things more intense, but we’ve carried out exactly the same job as we did before.

“We have had to transfer patients who are suffering from COVID-19, and this involves wearing personal protective equipment at all times. I’ve not found it frightening, because you sign up to the job knowing you’re facing potentially fatal diseases. To be honest, I’ve worried more about the patients.”

Dylan hopes to qualify as a paramedic one day; it’s something that many apprentices have gone on to achieve in the past according to Michelle Brotherton: “An apprenticeship is a really good way of coming into the organisation. They get to experience a variety of roles whether discharges of patients from hospital or taking renal patients into their appointments; it provides a real grounding on how to talk and interact with patients.

“Dozens of our apprentices have then gone on to train further either as a paramedic or in another role within the Trust such as in our emergency operations centres taking 999 calls.

“We are always on the look out for new apprentices because we know that we get great staff who we are proud to help develop their skills which ultimately helps patients.”

Note to editors:

All apprenticeship roles with WMAS are advertised on the NHS Jobs website. You can find more also find out more information on the Trust’s website.

PTP Training Ltd is part of the BCTG Group, a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year. You can find more information on their wesbite.

Jamie Arrowsmith – Monday 22^nd June 2020 – 10.45am.

A walker had to be rescued from approximately 600m down a muddy slope, treated and taken to hospital by ambulance staff over the weekend.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Symonds Yat Rock Viewpoint in Herefordshire at 10.17am on Saturday morning and sent one ambulance, a paramedic officer and a Hazardous Area Response Team paramedic to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Upon arrival at Symonds Yat, it took the first ambulance crew on scene approximately 10 minutes to make their way to the patient, who had fallen whilst walking.

“He was approximately 600m away from the main track, down a very muddy slope.

“Following an initial assessment at the scene, he received treatment for a serious but not life-threatening injury.

“The man was then immobilised on a specialist MIBS (multi integrated bodysplint stretcher) stretcher and was then lifted back up the embankment and to the awaiting ambulance with help from fire service colleagues.

“The rescue took about 90 minutes to complete before the man was then transported to Hereford Hospital for further treatment.”

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

Jamie Arrowsmith – Monday 22^nd June 2020 – 9am.

A man has died following a flat fire in Coventry last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to a property on Tile Hill Lane at 8.08pm and sent one ambulance, two paramedic officers, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Critical Care Car to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews discovered one patient, a man, who had been rescued from the building by the fire service.

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

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Jamie Arrowsmith – Thursday 18^th June 2020 – 1pm.

One man has been taken to hospital and three other patients have been assessed and discharged at the scene following a road traffic collision on the M5 this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a multi-vehicle collision between junctions 5 and 4a of the M5 at 10.21am and sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival we discovered two lorries that had been in collision. There were two cars further up the carriageway that are also believed to have been involved.

“In total ambulance staff assessed four patients. The driver of one of the lorries, a man, was treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to Worcester Royal Hospital for further assessment.

“The driver of the second lorry, a man, was assessed and discharged at the scene, as were a further two patients from the cars.

“The collision resulted in one of the lorries causing a chemical spillage on the carriageway which our colleagues from the fire service dealt with.”

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Jamie Arrowsmith – Tuesday 16^th June 2020 – 10.05am.

A woman was trapped for approximately 90 minutes after the car she was driving crashed into a tree in the early hours of this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of the B5013 and Moor Lane in Colton, near Rugeley at 2.32am and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival we discovered a car that had suffered significant front end damage in the collision. There were two patients, both women, one of whom was still trapped inside whilst the other had managed to get herself out.

“Ambulance staff assessed the driver and continuously monitored her whilst working alongside colleagues from the fire service to cut her free, a process which took about 90 minutes.

“Both patients received treatment for potentially serious injuries, but not thought to be life-threatening, before being taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital.”

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Notes to Editors:

Picture courtesy of Staffordshire Fire Service (@StaffsFire)

Murray MacGregor – Thursday 21^st May 2020 – 3.20pm.

A cyclist has suffered potentially life changing injuries.

The man was found on the Oldbury Ringway near to the Mecca Bingo at about 1.25pm on Monday.

Two ambulances and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car were initially sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The critical care paramedic arrived within five minutes of the 999 call and immediately requested an air ambulance due to the serous nature of the case.  The Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford was immediately sent.

“The middle-aged man had suffered serious injuries.  He was assessed and treated at the scene before being taken by land ambulance to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; the doctor and critical care paramedic from the aircraft travelled with the crew.”

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Murray MacGregor – Monday 15^th June 2020 – 11.20am.

A woman was left trapped after the 4×4 she was in crashed and rolled over.

The incident happened at about 7.40pm on Sunday evening on Kingswinford Road in Dudley near Russells Hall Hospital.

An ambulance came across it shortly after it had happened and requested back up; a second ambulance, a paramedic officer and the MERIT Trauma Doctor and Critical Care Paramedic were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a Range Rover on its side with debris over an extended area.

“The front seat passenger, a woman was initially trapped within the vehicle.  Working with firefighters, she was extricated before being fully assessed by the doctor on the ambulance.  She was treated at the scene before being taken to Russells Hall Hospital.

“The man driving the vehicle was assessed but was uninjured and was discharged at the scene.”

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Murray MacGregor – Monday 15^th June 2020 – 10.45am.

Four people have been taken to hospital, one in a serious condition after a fire in a house.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the semi-detached house in Lilac Close in Redditch at around 2.35am on Sunday morning.

Four ambulances, three paramedic officer, the Hazardous Area Response Team along with the MERIT Trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a house that was well ablaze.  One of the Trust’s paramedic Education and Training Officers was already on scene providing care.

“In total, there were five people from the property of which four were hurt.

“Two adults, a man and a woman and a teenage boy were all treated and assessed at the scene before being taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

“A teenage girl had suffered very serious injuries.  After assessment, she was rapidly taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the critical care paramedic travelling with the ambulance.

“The fifth person was uninjured.”

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Picture courtesy of @HWfireRAllen

Claire Brown – Thursday 11^th June 2020 – 12.45pm.

A girl required trauma care from ambulance staff this morning after coming of her bicycle in Shropshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Sandford Avenue in Church Stretton, Shropshire at 8.30am today (Thursday). Two ambulances and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a MERIT doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a cyclist, a girl, who had reportedly fallen off her bike and had sustained potential serious injuries. She was given a full assessment on scene and her condition treated. Once stabilised she was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further trauma care.”

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Jordan Eggington – Wednesday 10^th June 2020 – 9:10am.

Four people have been taken to hospital overnight after a single vehicle RTC in Walsall which saw a car hit a wall and land on its roof.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 1:17am this morning (Wednesday) to reports of a single vehicle collision on Lichfield Road in Shelfield. Three ambulances, two paramedic officers and a Critical Care car attended the scene.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance said: “On arrival, crews were presented with four patients, all from the same vehicle.

“We treated a man, for potentially serious injuries before taking him to the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham for further treatment.

“The other three occupants of the car were treated for injuries not believed to be serious and taken to Walsall Manor Hospital for further assessment.”

(Pics: Aldridge Fire)

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Claire Brown – Tuesday 9^th June 2020 – 9.50am.

A woman needed trauma care by ambulance staff yesterday following an incident in Sutton Park.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the middle of Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, with the nearest road access being Boldmere Gate, at 4.31pm (Monday). An ambulance was sent to the scene along with the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill air base.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a woman who had sustained serious injuries. They were told the woman had been knocked off her feet by a remote-controlled car which caused her to land awkwardly. Ambulance staff worked to administer trauma care and stabilise the woman’s injuries on scene before she was airlifted to hospital for further emergency care.”

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Claire Brown – Tuesday 9^th June 2020 – 8.45am.

A motorcyclist has been seriously injured following a road traffic collision in Rugby this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Murray Road in Rugby at 5.20am (Tuesday). An ambulance, a paramedic officer and a critical care car were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a motorcyclist, a man, who had suffered serious injuries. He was given trauma care on scene before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire; the critical care doctor travelled in the ambulance to hospital.

“The car driver was assessed but uninjured.”  

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Claire Brown – Thursday 4th June 2020 – 11.00am.

Despite the huge and, sadly for many, devastating impact of the pandemic, the one thing that has shone through the darkest days of lockdown is the kindness of others.

Read More “Thank You to Our Volunteers”

Jordan Eggington – Thursday 4^th June 2020 – 10:20am.

Three kayakers have been assessed after getting into trouble down a canal in Staffordshire overnight.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 00:03am this morning (Thursday) by the fire service after reports a group of kayakers had gone down the Harecastle Tunnel in Kidsgrove and got stuck. One ambulance and two paramedic officers attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman said: “On crews’ arrival, fire colleagues were already in the water on a boat to rescue the trapped kayakers. Three men were all safely recovered from the canal.

“The men were handed over to ambulance staff for assessment. None of the patients were believed to have been submerged in the water and were discharged at the scene.”

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Jamie Arrowsmith – Monday 1^st June 2020 – 1.30pm.

Three patients had to be rescued from vulnerable positions in two separate incidents over the weekend in North Staffordshire.

On both occasions, West Midlands Ambulance Service staff worked closely with colleagues from Buxton Mountain Rescue Team in complex situations to help bring the patients to a place of safety.

On Sunday, a 999 call was received at 1.14pm reporting a man had fallen from height on The Roaches, in Upper Hulme, Leek. Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a community first responder, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Ambulance staff managed to access the patient who had come to rest halfway up a hillside, he was found to have suffered multiple serious injuries. Crews began treating the patient whilst also working closely with the Mountain Rescue Team to prepare the patient for moving off the hillside.

“Once at a place of safety, air ambulance staff, including a doctor, administered specialist trauma care before the man was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital by land ambulance. On arrival, the man’s condition was described as very serious.”

On Saturday, we were called to reports of two patients who were trapped in Thor’s Cave on Leek Road in Wetton. One ambulance, two paramedic officers, a community first responder, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find two patients, a man and a woman, who were trapped on a steep slope at Thor’s Cave. Ambulance staff were told the patients had got into difficulty whilst walking.

“HART staff, the Mountain Rescue Team and the Fire Service all worked together to ensure both patients were extricated safely, using a rope system which took approximately two hours to complete.

“They then received a full medical assessment but thankfully were uninjured and able to be discharged at the scene.”

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Notes to Editors:

We do not have a further condition check on the man who had fallen on The Roaches on Sunday.

The picture is a library image, not from Sunday’s rescue.

Murray MacGregor – Thursday 21^st May 2020 – 9.35am.

A motorcyclist has died after coming off his bike, despite the efforts of ambulance crews to save him.

The incident happened at the junction of Cranes Park Road and Warrington Road in the Sheldon area of Birmingham on Sunday afternoon at around 2.45pm.

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 members of the public helping the rider who had suffered significant injuries.

“With the help of firefighters, he was immediately transferred to the ambulance for assessment and treatment.

“Despite advanced trauma care, sadly, it was not possible to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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