Ambulance theft 'stupid'

Wellington Free Ambulance staff are angry after an ambulance at a callout was stolen in an act of "sheer stupidity".

Operations manager Steve Crew said Lower Hutt paramedics were called to an Avalon property about 11.50pm on Wednesday.

While they were attending to a patient in the home, someone drove off in the unlocked ambulance. It was found tipped on its side at a nearby intersection.

The sound of the crash alerted members of the public who called 111 to say an ambulance had been involved in a road accident.

That alerted authorities to its theft, as they knew the crew were still in the patient's home.

A second ambulance was sent to help the stranded crew and also to see if anyone had been injured when the ambulance crashed, but there was no sign of the offenders.

Mr Crew said the theft was "sheer stupidity". Although luckily the original patient did not need to be taken to hospital, the theft could have cost a life.

Ambulances were generally left with their engines running to minimise delays when a patient needed to be taken to hospital. It also meant emergency lights could continue to work.

"We are a trusting organisation, and it would be disappointing if it got to the point where everything was locked down."

Mr Crew said the ambulance was substantially damaged and would be off the road for some time.

- NZPA