Local services rescue stranded ambulance during cold snap

LOCAL services came to the rescue when an ambulance dramatically got stuck on the hillside at Old Leighlin during the recent cold snap. The incident happened at Bawnree, when an ambulance was responding to a call about an elderly man in the area who had taken ill.

“His family rang for an ambulance and whatever route the sat nav took the ambulance, unfortunately they couldn’t make it up the hill at Bawnree,” explained Michael Purcell, chairman of Co Carlow IFA.

Michael, who lives in the area, was contacted to assist; however, such was the level of black ice and frozen snow on the steep hill that his tractor had little hope of pulling the ambulance free.

“Seamus Doyle, who is an overseer with the council in the area, rang me to try to pull it out with the tractor but unfortunately there was no point,” said Michael.

Carlow Fire and Rescue Service, along with a Carlow County Council digger, arrived on the scene and successfully got the stranded ambulance off the hill.

“All the services were there within half an hour. I just think it’s important to acknowledge all the services that are there for the community and the effort everyone put it … it should be acknowledged,” said Michael.

“Credit where it’s due, it was good to see people working together,” he added.

It is understood that while the stranded ambulance was being rescued, a second ambulance attended to the elderly man via an alternative route and the man is now doing well.