KEY POINTS:
A St John crew have been stood down after their ambulance hit a pedestrian on the way to an emergency.
The middle-aged man suffered head and facial injuries and was in a stable condition in Christchurch Hospital yesterday.
He was hit by the ambulance after getting off a bus and crossing Main North Rd, in northern Christchurch, about 1.15pm.
The ambulance was travelling to a "priority one" callout north of the city, and its sirens and flashing lights were operating.
It is unclear what speed the ambulance was travelling at.
Police are investigating. "This is a very rare and regrettable incident," said St John regional operations manager Chris Haines.
"At all times St John has the best interests of patients, communities and staff in mind. Immediate clinical care was provided by the ambulance officers to the injured pedestrian at the scene, before he was transported to hospital by another ambulance.
"The ambulance crew involved have been stood down for now, and usual support services are being provided."
The busy arterial route where the accident occurred was closed off yesterday and the two crew on board the ambulance and witnesses were being interviewed by police.
