Lorry Driver Charged with Drink-Driving After Ambulance Collision

Police have announced that a lorry driver faces a drink-driving charge following a collision involving an ambulance. The heavy goods vehicle (HGV) collided with the emergency service vehicle while its crew, alongside police officers, were attending to a pedestrian in Southampton. This pedestrian had been hit by a car during a prior incident on Thursday evening. Consequently, a paramedic operating a rapid response vehicle, accompanied by an additional ambulance, was dispatched to transport the pedestrian, identified as a woman in her 60s, to a medical facility. Authorities confirmed that the lorry driver, a 48-year-old male resident of Salisbury, has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 3 February. According to the ambulance service, the pedestrian sustained severe injuries to her arm and shoulder. The incident where she was struck occurred at approximately 17:45 GMT at the intersection of High Road and Parkville Road. There were no reported injuries resulting from the HGV’s collision with the ambulance. The ambulance, having sustained damage, was subsequently removed from service. Its crew transferred to a different vehicle to complete their assigned shift.