You speak out over ambulance driver’s parking

SCORES of Telegraph readers have jumped to the defence of an ambulance driver who was spotted parked on double yellow lines while they apparently nipped into a shop for lunch.

The ambulance was caught on the dashboard camera of magician Gary Haigh, in Wyken, at the junction of Belgrade Road and Hocking Road.

He told the Telegraph the driver had put children from the nearby Caludon Castle School at risk as the ambulance obstructed their view as they crossed the road.

Mr Haigh, 53, has made an official complaint and also called for the ambulance driver to be sacked for the parking infringement.

He said: “These people are supposed to be in a caring profession. Blocking the view of schoolchildren trying to cross a road is not very caring.

“I think the driver should be severely disciplined. They should never have put an ambulance in that position.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “The Trust can confirm it has received a complaint in relation to the parking of a Patient Transport Vehicle in Wyken, Coventry, on Wednesday and an investigation has been launched.”

But it seems many of you did not agree with Mr Haigh. Here’s what some of you had to say: Daisy Underwood: “So you would rather a skilled and lifesaving member of a amazing service that saves life’s be sacked for grabbing a sandwich, most only get half hour lunch, let’s hope it’s not one less paramedic when you need care because you got them sacked... Get a grip.”

Gary Stewart: “I agree with Mr Haigh that he should have parked better if the situation in that area is as bad as he says.

“But these men an women do an amazing job. I personally would forgive them almost anything. Certainly wouldn’t deny them a chance to grab lunch in the few min- utes they get between calls.”

Claire Goodwin: “SHOCK HORROR! NHS staff grab lunch. The crew probably missed their scheduled breaks while they were busy saving lives.”

Allan Aspinall: “I agree with a lot of what was said in the comments but just want to get a few things straight, the ambulance is a PTS vehicle so is not attending an emergency call but may well have been collecting a patient but should not have abused the exemption emergency vehicles have if it was only to grab shopping.

“The ambulance service will know if he was on a call so won’t take any action if the driver is not in the wrong.”