Woman dies following collision with ambulance in Cumbria

The collision occurred east of Keswick on the A66 at Burns Farm and involved a Fiat Punto and an ambulance.

The driver of the Fiat – a woman in her 30s – died at the scene of the collision.

The paramedics travelling in the ambulance were not seriously injured. The ambulance had no patients on board and was not on blue lights at the time of the collision.

The road was reopened at around 8.30 pm yesterday evening. Thank you to everyone for your patience whilst the road closure was in place.

Gene Quinn, North West Ambulance Service Head of Service for Cumbria and Lancashire, said: "Tragically, at approximately 8:50 on Thursday morning, an ambulance heading back to base in Keswick was involved in a serious collision with a car on the A66.

"Immediate emergency care was given to the female driver of the car by the crew involved. This was quickly supported by another ambulance crew, an emergency doctor, a critical care helicopter crew and two operational commanders. Sadly, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The crew members were taken to hospital to be assessed and treated for minor injuries. They have since been discharged but are continuing to receive welfare support.

"This is a heartbreaking incident, and our sincere condolences go out to the patient’s family and friends and all those involved. We are fully supporting the police investigation into the incident."

Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it quoting incident number 32 of 11 January 2024.

You can also phone on 101.