Month: July 2020

Jordan Eggington – Friday 31^st July 2020 – 2:15pm.

A boy and teenage girl have been taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital on blue lights and sirens after a two-car collision in Evesham this morning which left their vehicle in a ditch.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called by police at 10:44am (Friday) to Cheltenham Road. The Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham, the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care car, two land ambulances and a paramedic officer attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When crews arrived, they found two vehicles that had been in collision. One of the cars had rolled over and was in a ditch as a result.

”A woman, boy and teenage girl were out of that car. The girl suffered serious injuries and was taken by land ambulance to Birmingham Children’s Hospital on blue lights and sirens for further treatment.

“The boy was treated for injuries not believed to be serious and was also conveyed to the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, in a separate ambulance. The woman, who was the driver, was treated for injuries not believed to be serious and also required hospital treatment.

“The driver of the other car involved, a man, was treated for minor injuries and discharged at the scene.”

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Claire Brown – Friday 31^st July 2020 – 9.30am.

Despite the best efforts of bystanders and ambulance staff, a cyclist has sadly died in a road traffic collision in Shropshire last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a collision involving a car and a cyclist on the B5476, near Post Office Lane, in Coton, Whitchurch at 11.28pm (Thursday). An ambulance and paramedic officer were responded to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived, they found a cyclist in a critical condition with bystanders performing excellent CPR on the man. Ambulance staff continued resuscitation efforts on scene but sadly nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased.

“A second cyclist, a woman, was also assessed after suffering minor injuries in the incident but didn’t require hospital treatment.”

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Claire Brown – Friday 31^st July 2020 – 8.50am.

A man has sadly died following a road traffic collision in Birmingham late last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received several 999 calls reporting a collision involving a cyclist and a car at the junction of Washwood Heath Road and Phillimore Road in Saltley at 11.09pm (Thursday). Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a MERIT trauma doctor was sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The cyclist, a man, was in a critical condition upon arrival of ambulance staff who immediately took over resuscitation efforts and commenced advanced life support on scene.

“Sadly, despite best efforts nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead a short time later.”

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Jordan Eggington – Friday 31st July 2020 – 6:00am.

“When it happened, what was going through my mind was, how are they feeling?”

Two paramedics, who were stabbed while attending a patient in Wolverhampton earlier this month have praised the colleagues who came to their aid and helped save their lives.

Crewmates Michael Hipgrave and Deena Evans were attending a 999 call on Stephens Close in Wolverhampton on Monday 6^th July when the incident took place. Both suffered serious injuries and were treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Since the incident, the pair have been inundated with messages of love from colleagues and members of the public, for which they are extremely grateful.

Deena said: “We do have medical knowledge, so to hear what’s happening to you and not be able to do anything is scary. When it happened, what was going through my head, was how are my colleagues feeling? Obviously, I’ve spoken to them since and it is really upsetting. They’re our friends. It has been quite difficult for us all.”

Mick added: “We had quite an emotional meeting with the staff involved, with lots of tears, talking and questions. Although we already knew how difficult it would be for them being clinicians ourselves, being friends as well must have made it doubly hard.”

Both Deena and Mick are in good spirits as they recover from their ordeal.

Adding to their thanks, Deena said: “We wanted to say a massive thank you to the hospitals involved. The treatment we received at the QE in Birmingham was honestly amazing, along with the support we’ve had from our local hospital New Cross. You can’t comprehend how good everyone has been. The treatment we’ve had and the support has just been amazing, so thank you.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service continues to offer full support to both members of staff, as well as any colleagues who have been affected by this incident.

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Claire Brown – Thursday 30^th July 2020 – 9.30am.

A road traffic collision in Birmingham last night saw ambulance staff administer advanced trauma care to a boy.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Laxton Grove, Yardley at 6.56pm last night (Wednesday). Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a MERIT trauma doctor were responded to the incident.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Ambulance crews arrived to find a boy who was seriously injured following a collision with a car. Staff worked quickly with help from bystanders at the scene to lift the car up to release the boy, who was trapped underneath, before carrying him to the awaiting ambulance.

“Once freed, the ambulance team administered trauma care but due to the boys’ critical condition, they quickly left the scene on blue lights to hospital and arranged for MERIT to intercept them en route. The trauma doctor met the ambulance crew on the Small Heath Highway. 

“The doctor administered advanced trauma care to the boy before the blue light journey continued to Birmingham Children’s Hospital with the doctor on board. The boy’s condition was described as critical on arrival at hospital.”

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Claire Brown – Tuesday 28^th July 2020 – 5.00pm.

Three people have been taken to hospital following a road traffic collision in Kidderminster this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A449 in Cookley, Kidderminster at 12.41pm (Tuesday). Three ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a MERIT trauma doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival crews found two cars which had been involved in a collision. One occupant, a man, was out of his vehicle and was described as ‘walking wounded’. He was given treatment on scene before being taken to the Alexandra Hospital for further checks.

“Two other occupants, a man and woman, were assessed by ambulance staff who needed assistance from the fire service to extricate them safely from the vehicle.  The man suffered serious injuries and was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further emergency care. The woman received treatment on scene for injuries before being taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.”

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Jamie Arrowsmith – 27^th July 2020 – 2.40pm.

A woman has died after the car she was travelling in collided with a wall at Ankerside Shopping Centre Car Park this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the George Street location at 10.50am and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a BASICS doctor and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered the driver of the car, a woman, in a critical condition with police already performing CPR.

“Ambulance staff took over and quickly began administering advanced life support.

“However, despite everyone’s best efforts it sadly became apparent nothing could be done to save her and sadly she was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Jamie Arrowsmith – 27^th July 2020 – 1.50pm.

A woman has died following a collision involving two lorries and a car on the M6 this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 8.52am to the incident on the northbound carriageway, between junctions 9 and 10. Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival we discovered a total of three patients.

“The driver of the car, a woman, had suffered multiple serious injuries. Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The two lorry drivers, both men, were assessed and discharged at the scene uninjured.”

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Jamie Arrowsmith – 24^th July 2020 – 3pm.

Two people have died following a road traffic collision in Herefordshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 10.17am this morning to the incident which took place between the A438 and Chapel Lane in Dormington, Herefordshire. Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, 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 car that had left the road and suffered significant damage in the incident.

“There were two patients, one male and one female.

“Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be to save either patient and they were confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Claire Brown – Thursday 23^rd July 2020 – 12.15pm.

A car driver received advanced life support by ambulance staff this morning in Lichfield after the car he was driving collided with a lamppost.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Eastern Avenue in Lichfield at 8.30am today (Thursday). Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill responded to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “A passing ambulance came across the incident three minutes after the 999 call was made to find the driver of a car, a man, in a critical condition. The crew commenced resuscitation on scene and, once joined by ambulance colleagues, they worked as a team to administer advanced life support and managed to restart the man’s heart. The man was taken, in a serious condition, by land ambulance on blue lights to Royal Derby Hospital for further specialist care.”

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Claire Brown – Thursday 23^rd July 2020 – 10.30am.

A man riding a motorcycle suffered serious injuries after being involved in a collision with a car last night in Erdington.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received multiple 999 calls at around 10pm to reports of an RTC involving a motorcyclist and a car near McDonalds on the Chester Road, Erdington. Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The motorcyclist, a man, was in a serious condition upon the arrival of ambulance staff and was being cared for by members of the public who had stopped to assist.  The man was quickly assessed and found to have sustained serious injuries. His condition was stabilised on scene before he was conveyed on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; the doctor travelled to continue treatment on route.

“The car driver was assessed on scene but didn’t require hospital treatment.”

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Claire Brown – Thursday 23^rd July 2020 – 10.00am.

A collision involving a car and pedestrian left a woman with serious injuries last night in Birmingham.

The incident happened at around 5.00pm in Doe Bank Lane, Great Barr last night (Wednesday). An ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a MERIT trauma doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “An off-duty nurse was on scene administering first aid to the pedestrian, a woman, who had been involved in a collision with a car. The woman suffered serious injuries and, once treated and stabilised on scene by ambulance staff, she was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further trauma treatment.”

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Claire Brown – Thursday 23^rd July 2020 – 9.30am.

A man and a woman needed trauma care by ambulance staff yesterday after the motorcycle they were riding collided with a car.

Warwickshire Police called the service at 4.45pm yesterday reporting the collision near Bridge Street in Coton, Nuneaton. Two ambulances and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene. A third ambulance came across the collision and stopped to assist.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find police providing first aid to a man and a woman, the rider and pillion from a motorcycle, who had been involved in a collision with a car. Both sustained serious injuries which required trauma care on scene before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further emergency treatment.”

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Claire Brown – 22^nd July 2020 – 4.20pm.

The Midlands Air Ambulance along with ambulance crews were called to help an injured cyclist this afternoon in Dudley.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Newland Grove in Dudley at 2.00pm to reports of a cyclist who had reportedly fallen off her bicycle. An ambulance, a paramedic officer, a critical care car and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a MERIT trauma doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a cyclist, a woman, being cared for by an off-duty nurse and family members. The woman had sustained a potentially serious injury. She was given treatment on scene and crews worked to stabilise her condition before she was conveyed by land ambulance to nearby Russells Hall Hospital for further care.”

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Murray MacGregor – Monday 20^th July 2020 – 8.45am.

A motorcyclist has suffered serious injuries after a collision with a car.

The collision happened close to Kingsley Moor Filling Station on Leek Road, Kingsley Moor in Staffordshire at about 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire attended the incident.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found a car with significant damage and the rider some distance from his bike.

The rider, a middle aged man has suffered multiple serious injuries.  He received advanced care from the ambulance crews who worked with the doctor and critical care paramedic from the aircraft.

The man was taken by ambulance on blue lights to the major trauma centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital; the doctor and critical care paramedic travelled with the patient.

“A man and a woman from the car was assessed and discharged at the scene with minor injuries.”

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Claire Brown – Friday 17^th July 2020 – 10.00am.

A man was given advanced trauma care by the ambulance service in the early hours of today in Herefordshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a 999 call which reported a car had left the road, overturned, and ended up in a field near High Street in Leintwardine, shortly after midnight (Friday). An ambulance and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival ambulance staff found a car with significant damage and the driver, a man, in a serious condition. The crew immediately requested a MERIT trauma doctor to assist on scene due to the patient’s condition.

“The crew and paramedic officer worked quickly with the fire service to extricate the man from the vehicle. Once out, they administered trauma care on scene but due to the man’s serious condition, they quickly left the scene on blue lights to hospital and arranged for MERIT to intercept them en route. The trauma doctor, who had just cleared from another serious case out of the Shropshire area, met the ambulance crew on the A49.  

“The doctor administered advanced trauma care to the man and, once in a stable condition, the blue light journey continued to Royal Stoke University Hospital with the doctor on board.”

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Claire Brown – Friday 17^th July 2020 – 8.40am.

Despite the best efforts of bystanders and ambulance staff, a pedestrian was sadly confirmed dead at the scene of a collision last night in West Bromwich.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian at the junction of the A4041 Newton Road and Wigmore Lane, West Bromwich, at 9.23pm yesterday (Thursday) Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma team were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival ambulance staff found off duty nurses performing CPR on a pedestrian, a man, who had reportedly been involved in a collision with a car. Ambulance staff took over resuscitation efforts, administering advanced life support, but sadly nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead on scene a short time later.”

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Jordan Eggington – Thursday 16^th July 2020 – 9:45am.

Two patients have been taken to hospital after an RTC rollover in Market Drayton overnight, which left a vehicle on its roof.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 8:55pm last night (Wednesday) to reports of a collision on the A53 in Tern Hill. We sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care car, and a BASICS emergency doctor to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman said: “On arrival, crews were presented with two patients from the vehicle that had rolled over, with the passenger still trapped inside.

“Crews worked together to extricate the woman from the vehicle. She was then treated for serious injuries before being taken on blue lights and sirens to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further treatment.

“The second patient, a man, who was the driver, also suffered serious injuries in the collision and was conveyed to Royal Stoke University Hospital to receive further treatment.”

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Jordan Eggington – Thursday 16^th July 2020 – 9:15am.

A man has sadly died after being stabbed overnight in Redditch.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 9:38pm last night (Wednesday) to reports of a stabbing in Guinness Close.

Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and two BASICS emergency doctors attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman said: “On arrival, crews found a man in a critical condition. Staff worked as a team to administer advanced life support on scene to the man.

“Unfortunately, despite the best efforts, nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Jordan Eggington – Tuesday 14^th July 2020 – 9:30am.

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after coming off his bike in Coventry yesterday.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received numerous calls, with the first at 5:15pm on Monday to reports a motorcyclist had come off their bike at the junction of the Coventry Ring Road and Sky Blue Way. The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Critical Care car attended the scene, along with one ambulance and a paramedic officer.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman said: “On arrival, crews found the motorcyclist, a man, in a serious condition after coming off his bike.  Staff worked quickly to administer specialist trauma care on scene before conveying the patient to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further treatment.”

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Jordan Eggington – Tuesday 14^th July 2020 – 9am.

Three patients have been conveyed to hospital after a head on road traffic collision in Bedworth last night (Monday).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 8:26pm to Heath Road to reports of a collision involving two cars. Three ambulances and one paramedic officer attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman said: “Upon arrival, crews were presented with three patients, two of which had managed to self-extricate from their vehicles. The third patient, a woman who was the front passenger in one of the cars, was extricated by crews with the help of the fire service. She was treated for potentially serious injuries and conveyed to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire on blue lights and sirens for further treatment.

“The drivers of both vehicles, a man and woman, were treated for minor injuries at the scene and also conveyed to UHCW in separate ambulances.”

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Murray MacGregor – Friday 10^th July 2020 – 9.00am.

With calls to 999 and 111 quadrupling overnight, how can an ambulance service cope protect patients and save lives?

Over the next three weeks on Channel 4, “Paramedics: Britain’s Lifesavers” will capture the extraordinary lengths that West Midlands Ambulance Service went to, to ensure it was able to deal with the biggest challenge it has ever faced; the COVID-19 pandemic.

Filmed across three weeks, the three-part documentary series will be shown at 9.00pm on Mondays.

Cameras captured the daily decisions being made to make sure ambulances could continue to provide urgent medical care to the West Midlands.

During the height of the pandemic calls to the 999 and 111 service run by West Midlands Ambulance Service increased by 400 percent.  To ease the pressure, students and volunteers stepped up to join those on the frontline and give something back to the NHS.

The programmes look at many different areas of the Trust and tell the stories of some of the staff as they deal with the enormity of the situation faced by the entire Trust.

From new call assessors, student paramedics, to staff returning to work after the call for additional staff; the command teams, education and training, they are all featured in the programmes.

Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “Allowing Channel 4 access to WMAS enables us to show the extraordinary lengths that staff in every part of our organisation went to, to meet the challenge of coronavirus head on.  I am immensely proud of the work my staff did and continue to do, every single day.

“The series shows first-hand how amazing they all are and the efforts they went to keep patients safe and save lives despite some of the most difficult conditions we have ever faced.

“I am immensely proud of the way every single person within the Trust played a vital role in our response and how those efforts saved lives every single day.”

The programme was made by Dragonfly Film & TV.  Series Editor, Pete Wallis-Tayler, said: “We would like to thank all of the incredible staff who were filmed and those who have kindly allowed us to tell their stories.

“This series gives those at home the chance to understand more about the excellent work that went on behind the scenes to respond to the global pandemic.”

Fozia Khan, Commissioning Editor Channel 4 said: “We are very grateful to West Midlands Ambulance Service for giving us this privileged access to document their incredible work and show our viewers the reality of their jobs at this most challenging of times.”

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Jordan Eggington – Thursday 9^th July 2020 – 12pm.

A paramedic, who was stabbed by a man she’d gone to help earlier this week, has now been discharged from hospital.

Paramedics Deena Evans and Michael Hipgrave were attending a 999 call on Stephens Close in Wolverhampton at about 12.20pm on Monday (6^th) when the incident took place.

The Trust is pleased to confirm that Deena was released from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) after suffering a knife wound to her chest. She is now continuing her recovery at home.

After being discharged from hospital earlier this week, Michael is also at home, as he tries to make a full recovery after suffering injuries to his back.

Both Deena and Michael are in good spirits as they recover from their ordeal.  West Midlands Ambulance Service continues to offer full support to both members of staff, as well as any colleagues who have been affected by this incident.

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Press release issued in conjunction with West Midlands Police – Wednesday 8th July – 10.35am

West Midlands Police have charged a man over a knife attack on two West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) paramedics at his Wolverhampton home.

Martyn Smith is accused of stabbing the two members of ambulance staff just after midday on Monday (6 July) as they visited his home in Stephens Close to conduct a safe and well check.

Michael Hipgrave has since been released from hospital having had surgery for cuts to his back.

Deena Evans suffered a knife wound to her chest and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Unemployed Smith was charged last night with two counts of wounding.

The 52-year-old was remanded in police custody and is set to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court today.

WMAS continues to offer full support to both members of staff, as well as to any of their colleagues who have been affected by this incident.

Jamie Arrowsmith – Tuesday 7^th July 2020 – 11am.

Two members of staff are continuing to recuperate after they were stabbed by a man they had gone to help yesterday.

Paramedics Michael Hipgrave and Deena Evans were attending a 999 call on Stephens Close in Wolverhampton at about 12.20pm when the incident took place.

Michael was released from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, last night and is continuing his recovery at home.

Deena remains at the same hospital where she is receiving on going treatment; she remains in a stable condition.

Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Nathan Hudson, said: “Thankfully, both Michael and Deena are recovering well after yesterday’s ordeal.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the hospital for their assistance and for looking after my members of staff in such a professional and caring manner.”

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Earlier today, two of our staff were stabbed by a man who they had gone to help. Thankfully, our colleagues at West Midlands Police were able to taser the man and save the crew from more serious injury.

The two, a man and a woman are receiving treatment in hospital for their injuries. A 52 year old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of wounding.

Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Nathan Hudson, said: “The situation might have been very different had it not been for the quick action of police officers.”

‪Mr Hudson paid tributes to the ambulance staff who treated their two colleagues who’d been stabbed. 

He said: “There can be nothing worse than going to help people you know who’ve been seriously hurt.  Throughout, they acted impeccably.”

Murray MacGregor – Monday 6^th July 2020 – 1.35pm.

Two members of ambulance service staff have been stabbed after attending a call out to check on the welfare of a man in Wolverhampton.

The initial call came through at around 12.15pm this lunchtime to an address in Stephens Close.

Shortly after arrival, the crew used their emergency alert to say that they had been stabbed.

Three additional ambulances, two Midlands Air Ambulances and the West Midlands Care Team attended the scene along with three paramedic officers.

The two members of staff, both paramedics, have been treated at the scene by doctors and paramedics and have been taken to hospital for further treatment.

A man who was tasered by police officers at the scene has also been treated by ambulance staff.

More details will be released later.

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Claire Brown – Monday 6^th July 2020 – 1.15pm.

A man has sadly died in a single vehicle road traffic collision on the motorway in Worcester this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a call from South Western Ambulance Service reporting a road traffic collision on the southbound carriageway of the M5, near Junction 8 in Stresham, at 8.41am (Monday). An ambulance, a paramedic officer and the critical care car with a doctor on board, from the nearby Midlands Air Ambulance base at Strensham, attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance crews arrived, they found a van which had reportedly collided with the central reservation before leaving the carriageway and colliding with a tree. The driver, a man, was in a critical condition. Police, who were first on scene, had already commenced CPR prior to the arrival of the ambulance service.

“WMAS crews worked closely with colleagues from South Western Ambulance Service to administered advanced life support. Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased on scene a short time later.”

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