RESIDENTS have expressed their shock after a man hit by a van in Northwich town centre was left lying on the ground for more than an hour waiting for an ambulance.

On Friday, February 10, there was a minor collision between a van and a 65-year-old man near Watling Street.

Thankfully, the man was only taken to hospital for ‘precautionary checks’ according to Cheshire Police, but residents who witnessed the incident have slammed North West Ambulance Service for the delay in attending – caused by industrial action.

Michael Beddard witnessed the incident and was ‘shocked’ at the wait time.

He said: “It’s absolutely awful. This poor man was lying on the floor for more than an hour. It was freezing cold.

“I feel sorry for the ambulance service, and I’ve got a lot of sympathy for the NHS strike, but when you see a member of the public suffering like this, it’s absolutely disgraceful.

“It must have been very distressing for all concerned, including all the kind-hearted members of public who rushed to the aid of a person left laying on a freezing cold road surface.”

Members of the public were urged to only call 999 in a left-threatening emergency last week, as the North West Ambulance Service said ambulances, while still available, would be limited Monday to Friday.

Members of Unite, GMB and the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) were striking on Monday, February 6.

The RCN strike continued on Tuesday, February 7, with colleagues from Unison striking on Friday, February 10.

An NWAS spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, as we have warned, on days of industrial action, patients who are in a non-life threatening situation may have to wait longer than we would like as we have fewer resources available.

“To ensure the safety of our patients, senior clinicians are based in our control rooms to oversee incoming 999 calls and prioritise responses based on clinical need.”

“We hope the patient makes a full and swift recovery.”

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police confirmed: “Officers were called just before 1.40pm to a car park on Watling Street, Northwich, following reports of a minor collision involving a Peugeot Boxer van and a 65-year-old man.

“The man was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.”