Ambulance windscreen smashed in Eston area (ISSUED BY POLICE)
A North East Ambulance crew had a near miss when their windscreen was smashed by vandals near Eston yesterday (Monday 26th October) on their way to pick up a patient.
PTS vehicles regularly carry multiple patients to and from hospital appointments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy.
Luckily, there were no patients on board the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Police believe the person or people were on a bridge over the A174 when they targeted the vehicle.
Cleveland Police has recently issued warnings about the dangers of throwing or firing things at moving vehicles as there have been other instances in the last few weeks.
Paul Liversidge, Chief Operating Officer for North East Ambulance Service, said: “Our staff dedicate themselves to helping our community and it is not acceptable that they have to experience any kind of abuse whilst at work.
“Luckily there were no patients on board the vehicle at the time of this incident but the two members of staff who were on board were understandably a little shaken.
“This vehicle had to be taken off the road for the rest of the day to allow the windscreen to be repaired, resulting in an unnecessary cost to our service and potential delay in reaching patients already booked on to this vehicle as we had to find alternative transportation for them.”
PC Adam Woodland said: “Once again we would urge parents to talk to their children about the dangers of this activity. It could lead to a driver losing control of their vehicle and cause serious injury or even death.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Woodland at Cleveland Police via the 101 number. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or submit information via www.crimestoppers-uk.org