HEALTH chiefs have defended their skilled drivers following three ambulance crashes during a week.

Two crashes involved South Western Ambulance Service NHS ambulances, while the third was from the NHS South Central Ambulance Service.

No one was injured in either of the South Western ambulance incidents, but a man in his early 20s sustained leg and pelvic injuries during the accident involving the South Central ambulance in the New Forest. However, no patients were on board at the time and neither of the paramedics were injured.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) confirmed a car was in collision with an ambulance at 4.42pm, January 19, at Old Christchurch Road, Everton.

A SCAS spokesman said: “The ambulance was en route to an emergency call at the time of the incident.

“SCAS sent further resources to the incident to treat the casualties.

“One patient, a male in his 20s, was treated at the scene and taken to Southampton General Hospital.

“One patient sustained minor injuries and did not require any hospital treatment.

“An investigation is currently ongoing into the circumstances of the incident, so we cannot comment further.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said their skilled drivers had been dealing with the same icy conditions that have gripped the nation in recent weeks.

This spokesman added: “The Trust’s primary concern is the safety of both patients and staff.

Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of these two incidents and there were no adverse outcomes for patients.

“The recent adverse weather conditions have resulted in very challenging driving conditions across the south west for all road users.”

Last Friday evening an ambulance left the road in Longmeadow Lane, Creekmoor, Poole, and crashed into a garden fence. No one was injured.

One week earlier, an ambulance was in collision with a Renault Clio car near the Shah of Persia pub, Longfleet Road, Poole, close to Poole Hospital.

Once again, no one was injured.