Ambos’ close call a worry, say cops

POLICE say a hit-and-run crash on the North-West Coast involving an ambulance could have been deadly.

A Volkswagen ute crossed the Bass Highway near Somerset, west of Burnie, into the path of an oncoming ambulance and struck the ambulance just before 1am yesterday.

The driver of the ute stopped briefly a short distance from the scene before continuing towards Wynyard.

A 33-year-old Flowerdale man called police about 7.40am to tell them he believed he may have been the driver.

The ambulance was not carrying patients and the two paramedics in it were not hurt.

Acting Inspector Steven Jones from Burnie Police Station said the ambulance driver was forced to take swift action when the ute crossed on to the wrong side of the road.

“It could have been fatal … (it) caused the ambulance to spin and land on the side of the road,” he said.

“The vehicle collided with the ambulance causing extensive damage to the ambulance,” police said.

Acting Inspector Jones said it was disappointing when motorists involved in crashes drove away from the scene.

“There could have been a

The vehicle collided with the ambulance causing extensive damage to the ambulance

patient inside the ambulance. The paramedics were on night shift, they were certainly shaken by the crash, but they are OK,” he said.

The crash damaged the rear-passenger side of the ambulance.

The driver of the ute was last night expected to be charged and summoned to appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court at a later date.

Anyone who saw the crash or has CCTV footage is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppers tas.com.au.