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ENGLAND – An ambulance was stolen while paramedics treated a patient inside their home – only for the vehicle to later be found abandoned and damaged nearby.
Last night one of our emergency ambulance's was stolen from the Shotton area of Flintshire, whilst the crew were treating a patient at their home address.
The theft of an emergency ambulance is an extremely irresponsible act.
Full statement here: https://t.co/tQVLPfwgSv pic.twitter.com/chQ6NQT1bC
— Welsh Ambulance (@WelshAmbulance) November 15, 2020
The Welsh Ambulance Service has said the ‘extremely irresponsible’ could have led to ‘very serious harm’, stressing how stretched services currently are due to seasonal pressures and, of course, the coronavirus pandemic.
The ambulance was parked outside a house in Shotton, north Wales, as paramedics treated a patient inside the property.
After they realised the vehicle was missing, another crew was dispatched to help the workers – who may have not only needed to transfer the patient to hospital, but could have required extra equipment from their van.
Eventually, police found the ambulance dumped nearby, having also been damaged by the thieves.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “The theft of an emergency ambulance is an extremely irresponsible act.
“Had the crew needed to access additional emergency equipment from the vehicle, or to urgently convey the patient to hospital, this act could have led to very serious harm.
“Our services have been extremely busy dealing with winter pressures, alongside the challenges of the pandemic.
