Ambulance 'on wrong side of road'

An ambulance driver was on the wrong side of the road when he crashed head-on into a car, killing two people, Liskeard Magistrates' Court has heard.

Experienced paramedic Graham Dudman, 60, was behind the wheel of an ambulance which collided with a Ford Fiesta near Newquay last year.

Mr Dudman, of Treforest Road, Wadebridge, denied driving without due care and attention.

Two passengers in the car died from multiple injuries.

All I can remember... is a sudden vision of headlights and a car coming straight towards our vehicle Graham Dudman

The Fiesta, carrying five young men on their way home after a Friday night out, ended up on its roof after the accident, the court was told.

David Bellringer, 22, from Wadebridge, and Carl Greenaway, 21, from Delabole, were killed in the accident at 0330 BST on 24 May 2003.

Mark Deegan, prosecuting, said a pedestrian walking along the road had been forced to jump into the verge to avoid the ambulance - which was not on an emergency call - moments before the crash.

Skidding and swerving

He said: "The Crown's evidence is that the ambulance was on the wrong side of the road at the moment of impact.

"Mr Dudman allowed the ambulance to collide head-on with the Fiesta that was legally proceeding in its own lane."

The defendant had failed to provide an "adequate explanation" of why he was on the wrong side of the road, Mr Deegan said.

In a police interview read out in court, Mr Dudman said: "All I can remember of the incident is a sudden vision of headlights and a car coming straight towards our vehicle at a speed, skidding and swerving from my right to my left side."

He told police he could not remember anything immediately before the accident.

The case continues.