A cyclist has hit out at an ambulance driver after he claims he was almost hit by it at a roundabout.

Despite the sirens blaring and the driver honking his horn, Ian Hunter, 47, insists that he was in the right when he didn’t pull over for the West Midlands Ambulance Service vehicle.

He tweeted footage of the incident saying ‘saving lives while trying to take mine #shameful’.

In the footage, an ambulance can be seen rushing to a patient’s aid while in the outside lane approaching a roundabout.

The vehicle then moves across the two lanes to enter into the first lane of the roundabout.

The bus inspector – who had been riding along Fort Parkway towards Castle Vale – said: ‘I was riding along when I heard the ambulance coming and I looked behind me and it was on my right side.

‘I allowed room for the ambulance to pass on my other side however the ambulance then cut across two lanes nearly colliding with me.

‘The ambulance then sounded the siren at me and the driver gesticulating for me to move.

‘Where could I possibly go? I was already going forward if I had stopped he would have hit me. And most likely would have driven off.

 ‘I was horrified. Cyclist are already vulnerable on the road without that kind of driving. Totally shameful.’

West Midlands Ambulance Service looked into the incident and hit back at the cyclist saying he should have allowed the ambulance to pass.

A spokesperson said: ‘After reviewing the Trust’s own CCTV footage from the ambulance, the cyclist should have stopped at the traffic roundabout to allow the ambulance to pass unhindered.

Highway code is for all road users if you have a vehicle on your right it clearly means it is going straight over. You think it is acceptable to cut in front of 2 lanes of traffic to turn left!!! They are not above the law and the law is clear. You must have been the driver

‘As an ambulance service we advise members of the public to keep calm if you hear sirens or see flashing blue lights whilst driving or cycling and give yourself time to plan.

‘If the emergency vehicle is behind you, pull over by clearly indicating your intention and stop where it’s safe to do so. Please be patient by waiting for the emergency vehicle to pass.’

Source:
courtesy of METRO

by Richard Hartley-Parkinson

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