A man tried to break into an ambulance while paramedics gave medical attention to an elderly patient, with CCTV footage capturing the dramatic incident as it unfolded.
The ambulance had been called following reports of a pensioner falling ill in Blackpool, Lancashire, last Wednesday (12 August) just after 3pm.
However, when they arrived on the scene to assist the person, who had fallen over after a fit, they ended up having to deal with another drama altogether as someone attempted to gain access to their vehicle.
In the video, a man dressed in dark clothing can be seen approaching the ambulance, which has been parked up next to a bus stop.
Initially the man starts to inspect the vehicle by looking into the driver’s window, before walking round to the back doors.
After supposedly checking to see if anyone is around, the man then opens the driver’s side door.
Thankfully, the two paramedics clock what’s happening and suddenly the back door of the ambulance bursts open, as they run forward to apprehend the man.
A struggle then breaks out as the two paramedics attempt to wrestle the would-be thief from the door, and eventually manage to pin him to the floor.
They then successfully restrain him as a stunned family walk past.
The police were notified and the man was then arrested, while the patient was taken to hospital with ‘no further injuries’.
A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: “A 51-year-old man from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of theft and possession of a class B or C drug.
“He was released under investigation pending further enquiries.”
A spokeswoman for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) added on Friday: “We were called to an incident on Dickson Road, Blackpool on 12 August at 15:02 to reports of a male who had fallen ill.
“Whilst caring for the patient in the back of the ambulance, a male attempted to gain entry into the cab.
“With help from members of the public the male was apprehended, the police were notified and the male was arrested.
“The patient was taken to hospital with no further injuries and we are doing everything we can to support our crew and assist the police in their investigation.”
