Man dies after being hit by ambulance on A19 near Sunderland

A tragic incident occurred near Sunderland, where a man lost his life after being struck by an ambulance, according to Northumbria Police. The collision took place early in the morning, around 2:00 AM GMT, on the A19 between the exits for the A1018 and A690. The ambulance involved was traveling northbound at the time but was not using its emergency blue lights.

The man who died was in his 30s and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Despite the severity of the accident, the patient inside the ambulance and their companion, both of whom were being transported at the time, were not hurt. The ambulance driver, a man in his 40s, also escaped injury and stayed at the scene to assist the police with their investigation.

Following the impact, the North East Ambulance Service intervened by transferring the patient and their partner to a different ambulance to ensure their medical care continued uninterrupted. Meanwhile, the roads unit of Northumbria Police has launched a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Sgt Ben Rutherford expressed condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are firmly with the family and loved ones of the man who has tragically died following this collision. We will continue to support them in any way that we can at this incredibly difficult time.” He also appealed to the public for any CCTV or dashcam footage related to the incident, emphasizing that even seemingly minor information could be crucial in advancing the investigation and providing closure for the bereaved family