‘Idiotic’ brick attacks force two ambulances off the road
Written by News on 26/09/2018
Two ambulances have been taken off the road for repairs after they were hit by bricks thrown from an overpass.
The ambulances were hit on Tuesday afternoon near Perry Barr railway station in northern Birmingham.
The first had its siren on and was trying to reach a patient who was having trouble breathing.
It was hit by a brick at around 2.30pm and, due to the windscreen damage, had to stop, resulting in a 10-minute delay in help reaching the patient.
A second ambulance had to be sent to the patient but “in a bizarre twist”, West Midlands Ambulance Service said, that vehicle was also then targeted as it took the patient to hospital at about 3pm.
The crew in this vehicle heard a loud bang as they drove along but they were able to continue the journey.
It was only when they arrived at the hospital that they found a dent in the ‘A post’, just above the windscreen and driver’s door.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said both vehicles are off the road and will cost hundreds of pounds to repair.
Emergency services operations delivery director, Nathan Hudson, said: “It is hard to put into words how angry and disappointing these incidents are.
“Throwing a brick at any vehicle is dangerous and idiotic, but when it is an ambulance responding to an emergency, it beggars belief.
“Never mind that two vehicles are off the road which could be out helping to save lives, this was a horrendous incident for the staff involved.
“They do a difficult job at the best of times, but to have this sort of incident happen has understandably left them shocked and upset.
“I am just thankful that no-one was hurt.”
Mr Hudson appealed for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV of Birchfield Road at the junction with Aston Lane between 2.30pm and 3pm on Tuesday to contact police.
They can do this by Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 any time, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting log number 1364 of 25 September.
(c) Sky News 2018: ‘Idiotic’ brick attacks force two ambulances off the road
