Driver 'ploughs into ambulance', injuring six people
A Perth driver who police say was on the wrong side of the road after running a red light has allegedly ploughed into an ambulance en route to hospital with an elderly patient onboard.
The emergency vehicle rolled on impact, with six people hurt including a child.
Inside the ambulance was an elderly woman strapped to a stretcher. Beneath her was a paramedic wearing a harness, and so was his colleague in the driver’s seat.
Witnesses claim not everyone in the other vehicle was wearing a seatbelt.
One resident heard the moment the small car hit the ambulance, before he ran outside.
He told Seven News he smashed the car’s window to reach a nine-year-old girl slumped on the floor behind the driver.
The girl had a bloody nose and was missing a tooth, while the two adults in the front were conscious and screaming to know if she was ok, not realising how seriously they were hurt.
Police allege the driver of the car was on the wrong side of Woodrow Avenue, Dianella, and T-boned the ambulance.
They want to hear from any witnesses who saw the Hyundai Getz in the minutes before the crash.
St John’s says the ambulance was travelling at normal road speed without lights and sirens as this was meant to be a routine patient transfer.
The ambulance service described the paramedics’ rush to help the others, despite their own pain, as courageous, as they worked for the seven minutes it took for help to arrive.
“They were able to extract themselves, even though they had minor injuries, and to continue to care for their patients and the others in the other vehicle,” St John’s Ambulance Deputy CEO Anthony Smith said.
The woman who was in the ambulance is now in a much worse condition, with suspected broken ribs.
The 30-year-old car driver is under police guard at Royal Perth Hospital in a serious condition.
She has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and will have a bedside court hearing on Friday.
Her 24-year-old passenger is in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
The two paramedics have been given time off duty. It’s not known when they will return to work.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.
