Ambulance 'hijacked' by patient at gunpoint crashes into five cars

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The man allegedly pulled a gun on the terrified crew before crashing the ambulance into the cars, one of which was shunted into the front of a house.

Paramedics had first been called to the man's house in Dagenham, east London, after he felt unwell. After he was treated in his Haresfield Road home just before midnight on Monday, paramedics moved him into the ambulance to take him to nearby Queen's Hospital in Romford.

Seconds into the journey the patient apparently pulled out the firearm and the crewmade a desperate escape from the vehicle. As they dialled 999, the ambulance veered off the road, smashing into the stationary cars in Pondfield Road.

The man fled on foot, but was arrested by police a few streets away. A second ambulance was sent to treat him for a chest injury.

It is thought the trouble may have been sparked by the patient's unhappiness at the choice of hospital.

A police source said: "They were taking him to Queen's Hospital. Shortly after driving off, the crew were apparently threatened with a hand gun. The paramedic and the driver escaped unharmed. He climbed into the driver's seat and drove off."

Police added that the gun was an imitation weapon. The crew, based at Ilford, were unhurt, but were treated for shock. Ambulance sources said the situation had been very dangerous.

The source said: "It would have been dangerous situation for the second ambulance crew, knowing he had a gun."

Latest figures show that there are more than 160 violent or physical attacks a day on NHS staff, with ambulance staff being assaulted more than 1,000 times a year.

A 35-year-old man appeared before Barking magistrates yesterday charged with two counts of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, making threats to kill, aggravated vehicle taking, using a motor vehicle without insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with the licence.