KEY POINTS:
Vital resuscitation equipment has been stolen from a Hastings ambulance and St John is appealing for it to be returned with "no questions asked".
St John's district manager Steve Smith said the theft happened about 12.30am today.
"One of our ambulances was assisting another ambulance in Grove Rd, Hastings. When the crew returned they found that the first response resuscitation pack had been removed out of the vehicle."
The equipment was vital for staff called to a job, Mr Smith told NZPA.
"It is disappointing because the gear is there for the community. I don't think the people who took it realised the vital importance of it."
Mr Smith said the crew had noticed two men hanging out in the street when the staff came out.
"At first the staff thought not much of it, but on returning to the station they noticed the pack was missing.
"The pack includes a mask unit, stethoscope, blood pressure cuffs, intravenous fluids and a lot of other diagnostic equipment," Mr Smith said.
It was valued at around $1000. A replacement pack had been assembled from spare equipment.
Mr Smith said it was a very selfish and short-sighted act.
He urged the thieves to return it and "no questions will be asked".
- NZPA
