Hurt player’s hour wait for 999 crew

AN injured footballer was left in agony waiting for an ambulance for nearly an hour — despite the Oldham station being just round the corner.

Football bosses have hit out at the long delay in getting treatment during the Oldham Town versus Ashton Athletic FA Cup tie on Saturday.

Ashton player Steve Wallace was left prone on the wet pitch as anxious and frustrated team mates and officials chased up the ambulance crew.

Oldham Ambulance Station, in Crofton Street, is just a few hundred yards away from the club’s White Bank Stadium, in White Bank Road, Hollins.

First-aiders and a paramedic, who was watching the game, were unsure as to the extent of the injury and did not want to move the 24-year-old.

It was feared he had broken his leg or could have suffered a back problem, but after he was finally treated it transpired he had badly damaged his ankle ligaments.

The game, which Town won 2-0, was held up for an hour. Oldham Town secretary Dave Shepherd said: “It was eight minutes into the second half at 4.08pm when we called the ambulance and it did not arrive until around 5pm.

“It’s very surprising and has never happened like that before. It’s a long time to be waiting, previously it’s been there within 10 minutes.

“The lad was in agony. It was not life-threatening but they should be quicker.

“Athletic had travelled from Ashton-in Makerfield. Secretary Steve Halliwell said: “Compared to what we are used to in Wigan it was a disgrace. We thought his leg was broken at one stage. He was stuck on a damp pitch for nearly an hour. All the lads were upset.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman acknowledged it had taken nearly an hour to attend but said the call had been logged for “green response” — meaning an urgent but non life threatening situation with a target time of 60 minutes.

The service had a number of “red” emergency calls that took priority during that time. The patient was monitored through frequent phone calls.”