Ambulance off road after stone attack in Manchester

The attack has been described as "mindless"

An ambulance had to be taken out of service while en route to an emergency, after it came under attack by a man throwing stones in Manchester.

The vehicle was travelling along Stockport Road in Levenshulme at 0915 BST when its windscreen was cracked by the offender.

The crew stopped the vehicle safely but the man continued to throw stones before running away.

A spokesman for the ambulance service described the attack as "mindless".

Neither member of the crew was hurt, but North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said they had both been left shaken by the incident.

'Unprovoked attack'

Another ambulance was sent out to the original emergency call but the patient declined the service.

Ged Blezard, head of service in Greater Manchester, said: "This was a completely unprovoked attack and could have resulted in a serious accident and injury to both staff members and other road users.

"The ambulance has now had to be taken in for repair, resulting in one less emergency vehicle on the streets of Manchester.

"For all this person knew, the incident we were responding to could have involved a member of his own family.

"I am at loss to understand the reason behind mindless actions such as this, against a service which exists purely to help people."

The man was described as white, aged about 30, approximately 5ft 11in with shaven brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police.