An ambulance worker responding to an emergency call suffered minor injuries when a car was driven at him. The ambulance was being dangerously followed by a car as it travelled at speed from Sutton in Ashfield to Newark under blue lights.
The car tailgated the ambulance at very close range as it made its way eastbound along the A617. The car mirrored the ambulance’s speed and followed it as it overtook vehicles, with the car narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic.
Because of the danger, the ambulance pulled over and an ambulance technician got out of the vehicle to challenge the other driver. But the motorist drove straight at the brave ambulance officer, who was forced to cling onto the car’s bonnet as it carried on moving.
Police say that the driver continued to drive forward until they’d barged the ambulance technician out of the way, before then leaving the scene, at 9.20 pm on 12 June at the A617 in Hockerton.
Police investigations have continued since then and on Wednesday (17 July) they arrested a 19 year old man on suspicion of dangerous driving, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and failing to stop following a road traffic collision.
“It is against the law for anyone to follow an ambulance or other emergency vehicle while they’re responding to an incident under blue lights”, PC Jamie Hinks said. “That includes mirroring the speeds they will have to travel at, or any overtaking manoeuvres they will need to use, in order to get to where they’re going in a timely fashion.
“The standard of driving demonstrated in this incident was completely unacceptable and put other road users in danger.
“That includes an emergency worker who was thankfully only left with minor injuries after another motorist rammed them with their car when they challenged them about their driving.
“This action could’ve quite easily resulted in the pedestrian being seriously hurt, so everyone involved is extremely fortunate this didn’t happen.
“We’re pleased to say we’ve now arrested a suspect in connection with this incident, although our inquiries are still ongoing, so we’d ask anyone with any further information to contact us.”
People with information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting incident 737 of 12 June 2024. Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
