Air ambulance called for sick cricket umpire

CRICKETERS in Saddleworth had an unexpected interruption to their final game of the season when an air ambulance landed on the outfield yesterday.

Players at Uppermill Cricket Club had just started the 1pm match against Heyside when umpire Mike Dunkerley was taken ill.

Club members called diabetic Mike an ambulance as a precaution — and as no ambulances were free, a yellow chopper from North-West Air Ambulance was dispatched to the field.

But Mike was denied his ride in a helicopter: soon afterwards a standard ambulance arrived to take Mike to hospital. The umpire was discharged after treatment.