Carnival care
Over 700 people were treated by first
aiders over the course of London’s popular Notting Hill
Carnival last weekend.
More than 600 first aid volunteers from St John
Ambulance – the largest entourage ever attached to this particular
event – worked tirelessly over Sunday and Monday to ensure the
safety of crowds and participants.
Dedicated first aiders worked in partnership
with the London Ambulance Service to keep a state-of-the-art
control room up and running. Over 50 vehicles across a 3.5 mile
Carnival route in the capital were provided – all ready to treat
individuals or transport to hospital where necessary.
In total, 218 were treated on Sunday and 30 taken to
hospital, with 526 treated on Monday with 83 taken to
hospital.
This year’s figures for casualties are up on last year, when St
John Ambulance treated more than 500 people and transported more
than 70 to hospital.
We have done a great job across this weekend in providing the best possible first aid care and medical assistance.
Ann Cable
Commissioner, St John Ambulance London
St John Ambulance provided:
- doctors
- nurses
- medical professionals
- motorbike and cycle responders
- 11 treatment centres
- nearly 40 ambulances.
The organisation works closely with the London Ambulance Service
to provide joint cycle response units and 20 Forward Incident Teams
(FIT) who are
specially trained to work in large crowds.

Ann Cable, Commissioner of St John Ambulance in London, said:
‘Each year we work closely with London Ambulance Service colleagues
and with staff from the hospitals to provide a comprehensive
service at this worldwide renowned Carnival.
‘We have provided a totally professional service since the
Carnival first began in 1966 and yet again we have done a great job
across this weekend in providing the best possible first aid care
and medical assistance.'