Continuing our support in the snow

St John Ambulance volunteers are continuing their support of the ambulance service by working in the areas worst hit by the snow.

Extra vehicles are being used in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Oxfordshire - the latter county being so affected by the snow that it's required extra support from volunteers in Hampshire.

Harry Dymond, Chief Commissioner Operations at St John Ambulance, said: 'We've been providing extra support to local ambulance services since the bad weather on Sunday, but this morning we've had to lay on more 4x4 ambulances in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Oxfordshire in particular. They seem to be the areas worst hit by the snow and our 4x4's are crucial in making sure that patients who are snowed in or stuck outdoors can get the care they need.

‘We've now deployed over 100 vehicles this week, many of which have been operating 24 hours a day. Our dedicated volunteers have given thousands of hours of their own time and the weather forecast suggests that they will be required well in to the weekend.

'In Sussex our volunteers have been involved in a dramatic outdoor rescue when three men tried sledging down Devil's Dyke at night. They suffered serious injuries and our 4x4 ambulance was led to the scene by a police helicopter with floodlights so they could be safely transported to hospital.'