Ambulanceman 'driving dangerously seriously injured teenager in car crash'

The driving of technician Andrew Collis fell 'far below' the standard of a careful and competent driver, a court heard.

Collis, 43, was driving to a two-vehicle crash involving two children on the A32 at Mislingford, Hants, when he saw a Renault Clio in front of him indicating to turn right into a lane.

Portsmouth Magistrates' Court heard that Clio driver Jessica Barnett, 18, stopped flashing her indicator and drifted back into the single-carriageway.

Prosecutor Sophie Stevens said Collis decided to pull out into the oncoming carriageway to overtake Miss Barnett's Renault Clio.

But Ms Stevens said within moments, the Clio's right indicator flashed right again and the two vehicles collided.

The accident happened at about 6.30pm on February 9 in dark, drizzly conditions.

Ms Stevens said there was no suggestion of Collis driving above the 60mph speed limit or that a mechanical fault or mobile phone use contributed to the crash.

She said: "This is clearly a case where Mr Collis's actions alone will have to be considered."

She said the court would have to consider whether a careful and competent driver would have guarded against the danger.

"The Crown says that the manner of Mr Collis's driving fell far below the standards of a competent and careful driver," Ms Stevens added.

Collis, of Limetree Close, East Preston, near Littlehampton, West Sussex, denies one count of dangerous driving.

His onboard colleague, Daniel Major, said he felt Collis was driving the Mercedes Sprinter ambulance with its blue lights and siren on in an appropriate way and that he had not felt concerned.

Recalling the sequence of events, Mr Major said: "As we came round the corner, there was a small car in our lane travelling north and indicating to turn right about 100 metres away.

"As we approached the set of junctions, the car's indicator stopped flashing and the car drifted back to the middle of the lane.

We then proceeded to go round and into the oncoming carriageway to get past the vehicle.

"As we did so, and while we were on the wrong side of the road, the indicator came back on again and the car started to turn. I said something along the lines of, 'I don't think they have seen us'."

After colliding with Mis Barnett's car, the ambulance went on to crash into an electricity post.

The impact caused Miss Barnett serious head injuries, from which she is still recovering from, the court heard.

Mr Major said he felt there was nothing Collis could have done to avert the impact once the Clio had started indicating again to turn right into Buddens Lane.

Pc Victor Plasins said both drivers were at fault for the collision. He said: "The Clio driver should have seen the approaching ambulance. The ambulance should have waited and let the Clio complete its manoeuvre."

Collis told police in interview that he had his sirens on and gave three prolonged flashes of his headlights before Miss Barnett's brake lights came on.

He said he moved on to the offside lane in preparation to overtake her and gave a further three flashes before the crash occurred.

Collis, an ambulanceman for six years, told officers: "All I wanted to do was do my best for the people that were hurt."