“You can’t park there, mate… even if you’ve got blues on” was one of the comments on social media when photos of an ambulance in the water at Camber appeared online.
A team from South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust was responding to a serious medical emergency on the beach as the tide rose in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
While crews treated the patient, the water crept towards the shore and waves were soon approaching the vehicle’s wheels. However, the crew remained in place and carried on giving medical assistance. Another ambulance arrived and the patient was transferred to hospital. A replacement vehicle was sent so the crew could continue their shift.
Dean Miller arrived about 9am with an off-road Ford Ranger demonstrating again that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Dean Miller commented, “We were called to assist a stranded ambulance on Camber Beach with the tide lapping at its wheels. We managed to attach a winch from our recovery vehicle and pulled the ambulance above the high-water mark. We then towed the ambulance off the beach into the Central Car Park. It was a very lucky escape considering the ambulance could drive away once back on the hard ground.”
South East Coast Ambulance Service thanked everyone involved for their help, confirming it was a lucky escape, with the vehicle able to drive away under its own steam.
Image Credits: Dean Miller .