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Ambulance service issues snow warning

10:16pm Monday 21st December 2009


CARS abandoned in the snow could block ambulance crews heading out to emergency calls, the ambulance service has warned.

Michelle Ullett, communications manager for South Central Ambulance Service, said: “The service is finding that a great deal of people are abandoning their vehicles on the side of the road and choosing to walk without thinking about the locations of their vehicles in the road.

“SCAS understand that these are very unusual weather conditions for the South of England however it is vitally important as roads blocked by vehicles hinder emergency vehicles from proceeding on their journey to medical emergencies.”

Volunteers from St John Ambulance have mobilised its six crewed ambulances to help the SCAS.


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Your Say YourGazette

Town Crier, SW Basingstoke says...
10:48pm Mon 21 Dec 09

I suspect in most cases abandoned vehicles are not left at the side of road by choice. With little help and no gritting things WILL come to a standstill very quickly.
**
I don't think anyone would leave their car and walk home if they has another choice.
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Also, I think a warning in the local newspaper will fall upon deaf ears, so I hope these messages will be on local radio at least.

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Jo Walke, says...
11:15pm Mon 21 Dec 09

Ordinary residents may be put out in the same way - alot of this will not be down to choice.
**
Two posties left their van near me this afternoon - they pulled off the main road and parked up safely - but still had to trudge their way from Chineham to priestly road with their satchels and a bag shared between them.
(hope you guys got back there ok ;) )

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PeterLG, Hatch Warren says...
11:18pm Mon 21 Dec 09

Although I see their point, I absolutely agree with Town Crier. 4 hours plus with hungry, thirsty juniors in a car is not a "choice abandonment".
Emergency services sit on council groups that should be planning & anticipating "the unexpected" not complain after public make the best of a bad situation. BBC weather showed basingstoke area as "heavy snow" for whole day Monday since Saturday. How is is that the gritters were then sent out late? I did not see a single police officer or any other EMS assisting the public all the way from town to Hatch Warren.
Just seeing a few EMS types on point to offer advice, share some co-ordinated info would have been hugely welcome.

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justwatching, Chineham says...
6:15am Tue 22 Dec 09

As many have already said, the abondoned cars are surely not there for a reason but I maust say that during a small break in the weather I was driven home from town by a friend and found all cars which were stopped in various areas on our way home were indeed in safe and put of the way of traffic. There was an emergency vehicle which came towards us and all cars moved slowly to the side of the road so it could pass. I must say I was very proud of the way those still able to drive were driving with the upmost caution...All of you who endeured the snow and ice and traffic on foot, hope you are all safe at sound. I am fortunate enough to have been able to walk the rest of the way from the top of the road (500 yards) to my house, most had to walk for miles..

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Tintinout, Bramley says...
8:35am Tue 22 Dec 09

Would anyone actually notice the difference to the norm if a local ambulance took 8 hours to arrive?

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