Ambulance crew injured in smash

The damaged £100,000 ambulance looks like being written off

Two ambulance crew members who were injured when their vehicle was involved in a double collision tended to four other casualties until help arrived.

All six people were injured when the ambulance collided with a Toyota Avensis car and then with a brick wall in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Minutes earlier, a Toyota Avensis was reported to have left a petrol station after the occupants failed to pay.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of making off without payment.

All the casualties were taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries after the incident on Higher Bridge Street.

Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (GMAS) said extensive damage was caused to the ambulance which had been responding to a 999 call to a woman in the late stages of labour.

Four other ambulances were despatched to the scene to treat casualties and a fifth ambulance was sent to deal with the original 999 call.

GMAS Director of Operations, Derek Cartwright, said: "This was an appalling accident which has resulted in two of our crew members being injured and possibly needing to take time off to recover, plus what looks like a £100,000 vehicle being written off."

Police said a section of Higher Bridge Street was closed for about an hour on Thursday morning while officers dealt with the incident.