Thanks for patience, says ambulance chief in blast’s aftermath

AMBULANCE chiefs have thanked people in Southport for their patience after the terror attack.

After the attack people in the region were urged to try not to call 999 as paramedics raced to help scroes of victims caught up in the tragedy.

Chief executive of North West Ambulance Service Derek Cartwright said: “The service is devastated by the attack in Manchester on Monday night. We would like to offer our sincere condolences to those who lost loved ones and wish those in hospital a speedy and full recovery.

“We were made aware of the incident at 10.46pm on Monday and soon after declared a ‘major incident’.

“Our staff worked tirelessly throughout the night to coordinate the large scale response with 60 ambulances attending the horrifying scene in the city.

“Ambulance crews were accompanied by our hazardous area response teams, consultant paramedics, advanced paramedics and doctors who all offered their advanced clinical skills.

“We’re extremely proud of the professional way our staff responded and treated those involved.

“In total, our clinicians treated and took 59 patients to hospital and approximately 60 ‘walking wounded’ were also treated by our crews but did not go to hospital.

“No matter how much we train our staff for incidents such as this, nothing can prepare you for the shock and sadness when tragedies like this occur.’’