SAFETY concerns have been raised after a 96-year-old Swanage woman was left collapsed on the pavement in torrential rain for three-quarters-of-an hour waiting for paramedics.

Frail Tilly Lacy, who suffered a head injury after being blown off her feet by fierce winds in Swanage’s Station Road, was eventually taken to hospital for treatment.

Onlookers quickly came to her aid, but despite repeated 999 calls it took 44 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has since apologised for the delay, explaining that on the day in question they were experiencing high demand - but the incident has raised concerns locally about rural emergency response times.

Mrs Lacy, who lives in sheltered accommodation nearby, was initially kept in hospital overnight. However, she has since been readmitted to Swanage Hospital for observation.

Estate agent Dave Corben, who went to the pensioner’s aid, said he dialled 999 three times before paramedics finally arrived and on two of those occasions was asked a series of questions before the operator would confirm an ambulance was being dispatched Mr Corben, a retired first-aider with the town’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew, said members of the public used coats to erect a makeshift shelter around Mrs Lacy to shield her from ‘torrential’ rain.

They were reluctant to move her because she was complaining of back pain, explained Mr Corben.

The former lifeboatman, who has written to South Dorset MP Richard Drax voicing his concerns, said: “I have lived in Swanage all of my life and am proud of the community I live in, especially to those who responded so admirably to go to the aid of this unfortunate lady.

“What is so worrying is the lack of response from the ambulance service for such a serious situation, there can be no excuse for taking 50 minutes to respond to a call.

“We have an ageing population of 11,000 in Swanage and it is obvious that our ambulance needs are now not being covered.”

Confirming he’d received Mr Corben’s letter, MP Richard Drax explained he’d be writing to the ambulance trust.

“I cannot comment further until I have had a reply from the chief executive,” he said.

The incident on Station Road took place just after midday on October 9.

‘Apology for the delay’

A SOUTH Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “The Trust would like to wish Tilly Lacy well in her recovery. We are confident that the two first aid trained members of the public who were immediately on scene were able to help the patient whilst an ambulance was on its way.

“SWASFT would like to apologise for a delay in an ambulance responding to the scene. On this particular day we were experiencing a high demand particularly due to the weather conditions.

“The initial call was received at 12.14pm and an ambulance was on scene at 12.58pm.

“We have not yet received any correspondence from the patient or her family, we would encourage them to contact us so that we can provide a full response.”