This in from the Police, in their own words. Ed
Police are appealing for more witnesses as an investigation continues into a report of dangerous driving that affected an emergency ambulance on the Isle of Wight.
The crew of an Isle of Wight Ambulance was returning to St Mary’s Hospital with a seriously ill patient on board.
The NHS driver noticed a green Vauxhall Vectra being driven closely behind the ambulance while it was lawfully exceeding the speed limit with blue lights and sirens on.
Driver followed ambulance through Newport
The Vauxhall driver is alleged to have followed the ambulance from the Blackwater Road junction on the outskirts of Newport along St. George’s Way, Coppins Bridge and Medina Way into the grounds of St. Mary’s Hospital.
These events are reported to have taken place between 4.10pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011.
Following several lines of enquiry
Investigating officer WPC Peni Houghton of Hampshire Constabulary’s Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit (RPU) said: “We’ve been following several lines of enquiry over the past fortnight after the man at the wheel of a Vauxhall was accused of driving dangerously right behind the ambulance.
“It is alleged that he broke the speed limit and took advantage of other vehicles moving out of the ambulance’s path while it was on the emergency call, including contravening a red traffic light on Coppins Bridge.
“The actions of the Vauxhall driver caused the ambulance crew to fear for the safety of their patient, other motorists, pedestrians and themselves. This behaviour was reckless and endangered the lives of emergency service staff working in challenging circumstances to save a life.
“I would like to thank the ambulance crew for reporting their concerns to police and giving us a detailed description of what happened. We remain keen to speak with other witnesses who remember seeing a car speeding behind an ambulance in and around Newport town centre between 4pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday, June 21.”
The car was described as a green coloured Vauxhall Vectra with a man in the driving seat and a woman in the front passenger seat.
Get in touch
Anyone with information is asked to contact WPC Peni Houghton of the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) at Shanklin Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing through the website.
From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call police on 0845 045 45 45. Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000.
Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111
Image: Lee J Haywood under CC BY 2.0
