Paramedic and elderly patient die after ambulance crashes into a tree in horror smash as car driver is arrested

A woman driving an ambulance and an elderly patient were killed this morning when the vehicle crashed into a tree, police said today.
The ambulance is believed to have left the road after the accident involving a car, which happened in the New Forest in Hampshire shortly after 9.30am today.
The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, was arrested at the scene of the accident on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care and attention.

The female paramedic who was driving the ambulance and the male patient were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near Brockenhurst

Witnesses reported seeing the ambulance driving along the straight road at speed with its sirens blaring

A male crew member and a male relative of the patient, who were both in the back of the ambulance, suffered serious injuries in the accident which occurred on the A337 Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst road at its junction with New Park.
The female paramedic who was driving the ambulance and the elderly male patient travelling in the rear of the vehicle died at the scene.
A male crew member and a male relative of the patient, who were both in the back of the ambulance, suffered serious injuries.

News helicopter images showed an aerial view of the ambulance where it finished up amongst the trees

Fire crew parked in front of the ambulance as emergency workers began investigating the scene

Hampshire Police closed off the road after the fatal accident which happened at 9.35am today

The crew member was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital and the patient’s relative was taken by ambulance.
'Next of kin for those involved are in the process of being informed,' a police spokesman said.
'The road is expected to remain closed for the rest of the day while collision investigators examine the scene and arrange for the vehicle to be recovered.'
Witness Gwyn Williams said: 'As I was driving to work, going through Brockenhurst, an ambulance shot past me with sirens blaring.

Police closed the road and said it was likely to remain closed for the rest of the day while they examined the scene

'I thought nothing of it at the time, but as I got to the other side of Brockenhurst the traffic had stopped dead.'
The double-crewed ambulance belonged to South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) and was transporting the patient to Southampton General Hospital.
'South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is conducting appropriate welfare checks with the families of all involved,' a spokesman for the service said.

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