Response to crash by 999 services was ‘over-the-top’ (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Response to crash by 999 services was ‘over-the-top’

9:35am Friday 3rd July 2009

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COMMUNITY leaders have raised concerns about the “over-the-top”

response by the emergency services to a fatal road accident.

Councillors in Hawes have asked the police to explain why the A684 near Garsdale station was closed for more than five hours following the accident on May 30.

Daniel Wilkinson, 21, from Southport, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash after his motorbike collided with a car carrying an elderly couple.

The 65-year-old male driver of the car from Greater Manchester was seriously injured.

While expressing sympathy for the victims, the parish council claims the long closure of the road caused major disruption for local residents, businesses and visitors.

Members claimed that seven police cars attended the accident, which they said was excessive.

Councillors suggested that police would be better employed increasing patrols of the Dales to prevent this kind of accident.

They also accused police of speeding to the scene with blue lights flashing through Hawes an hourand- a-half after the accident had occurred.

Coun John Blackie, chairman of the council, said in a report to the county council’s Richmondshire area committee: “Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council questioned whether the number of police cars in attendance at the scene of the accident was entirely necessary, and considered the length of time the road was closed, given the distances and difficulties involved in using the diversionary routes, was unacceptably long.

“The delay in re-opening the road led to much inconvenience to local residents and visitors alike, and lost custom for businesses in Hawes.”

Problems caused by the closure included a teenager stranded at Garsdale station.

Two cyclists had to sleep rough because the accommodation they booked was re-let when police refused to let them push their bikes past the scene.

Shoppers returning from Kendal were forced to take a 40-minute diversion.

Pedestrians were also stopped from walking past for the full five hours.

Councillors also questioned the communications systems that sent two road ambulances and two air ambulances – one Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a second Great North Air Ambulance – to the accident.

In response, North Yorkshire Police said that, while the force acknowledged that serious and fatal accidents caused disruption to traffic and residents, the priority had to be the thorough investigation of collision scenes to ensure all evidence was recorded to for use at inquests and court cases.

Trevor Baldwin, assistant director of access and response at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We dispatched the most suitable emergency responses to ensure the patients involved received the quickest and most appropriate care.

“Where speed is vital because of the severity of injuries, or when an incident is in a rural location, we work closely with our colleagues at Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance also rejected the criticism of its communication systems.

A spokesman said: “During this mission, our second helicopter was available if any other incidents were to occur in the Yorkshire region at that time.

“The YAA charity and YAS have a long and successful working relationship and continual communications between the two organisations is key to this.”

North Yorkshire Police will give a full response at the area committee meeting on Wednesday.

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