West Midlands Ambulance Service is appealing for the public’s help in apprehending the individual(s) who attacked not one, but TWO ambulances with bricks.

The first incident took place as an ambulance went through the underpass on Birchfield Road in Birmingham at 2:30pm on Tuesday afternoon; the second incident took place at the same location at around 3.00pm.

In the first case, the vehicle was travelling on blue lights to a patient with breathing difficulties. The ambulance crew had to stop as the windscreen was damaged and meant that a second ambulance had to be sent to the 999 call, resulting in a delay of around 10 minutes in getting help to the patient. In a bizarre twist, it was that second ambulance that was also targeted as it took the same patient to hospital.  

On this occasion, the crew heard a loud bang as they drove along, but it was only once they arrived at hospital that they discovered a dent in the ‘A Post’ just above the windscreen and driver’s door. Both vehicles are now off the road and will cost hundreds of pounds to repair. Emergency Services Operations Delivery Director, Nathan Hudson, said:

“It is hard to put into words how angry and disappointing these incidents are. Throwing a brick at any vehicle is dangerous and idiotic, but when it is an ambulance responding to an emergency, it’s beggar’s belief.

“Never mind that two vehicles are off the road which could be out helping to save lives, this was a horrendous incident for the staff involved. They do a difficult job at the best of times, but to have this sort of incident happen has understandably left them shocked and upset. I am just thankful that no-one was hurt.

“The potential for this to have turned into an incident which resulted in serious injury or worse is plain to see. I am therefore asking anyone who was in the area who saw anything or who has CCTV of that area to contact West Midlands Police as soon as possible so that those responsible are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information can contact West Midlands Police via their Live Chat service, by calling 101 or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting log number 1364 of 25th September.