Thieves break into ambulance

Wellington’s Free Ambulance is pleading for the return of drugs and equipment stolen from a locked ambulance on a call-out in Lower Hutt yesterday. Thieves broke into the ambulance and stole a drug kit, airway kit, oxygen bag and medical airbag, leaving the crew without vital supplies. General manager of operations Eric Tibbott said the drugs in the bag could make someone seriously unwell — even though they were not controlled substances. They have a combined value of around $15,000. As a charity reliant on community donations to keep the service free of charge, the theft was hard to take, Tibbott said.