Teenager vandalises ambulance as paramedics treat patient inside

A teenager has been arrested after smashing up an ambulance which was saving the life of a patient inside.

The “shaken” paramedics were forced to press their panic buttons and drive off from the scene in Stoke-on-Trent after the side window was smashed.

A 19-year-old was arrested on Wednesday May 22 on suspicion of causing criminal damage and remains in custody.

Police officers were called by the ambulance service on Tuesday May 21 to Meir, Stoke-on-Trent.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said any attack on its vehicles, staff and patients is "completely unacceptable"

The service spokesman said: “A crew were treating a woman in the back of an ambulance in Macdonald Crescent, Meir at just before midnight on Tuesday when a man attacked the ambulance.

“During the incident, the side window of the ambulance was smashed.

“The ambulance crew were able to press their panic buttons and drive off from the scene. Officers from Staffordshire Police arrived very quickly and arrested a man.

“The patient and the crew were both shaken but unhurt.

“A second ambulance and paramedic officers were sent to the scene. The patient was transferred to the second ambulance for continued care.

"Officers provided support to the crew.

“The damaged vehicle has had to be taken off the road for repairs.

“Any attack on ambulance staff, our vehicles and our patients is completely unacceptable.

Read More on Yahoo News:

'No Shame': Neighbour fined for offensive ambulance note breaks silence in Twitter rant

Ambulance hoax caller cost NHS £25,000 by calling 999 344 times in six months

"We will be working with Staffordshire Police to assist their investigation and will provide the CCTV from the vehicle.

"The Trust will always push for action to be taken in such circumstances.”

A Staffordshire Police spokeswoman added: "We were called to an incident just after midnight this morning by colleagues in the ambulance service.

"Paramedics were attending to a woman on Macdonald Crescent, Meir, when a man began to attack the ambulance causing damage to it.

"Officers arrested a 19 year-old local man on suspicion of criminal damage and he is in custody awaiting questioning."