Watch shocking moment traffic warden gives parking ticket to ambulance crew

Social media users have vented their fury online after a video circulated of an ambulance crew being given a parking ticket in Northwich this week.

The shocking video, filmed by cameraman Ian French, shows the paramedics getting a ticket after they parked on double yellow lines while taking their first break in eight hours at Kingsmead Square, Northwich on Tuesday afternoon.

The workers for North West Ambulance Service parked up outside a supermarket while on shift to nip in for some water to drink, reports MirrorOnline.

But a video shows a parking warden issuing a ticket while the emergency worker pleads: "I've had nothing to drink and nothing to eat".

The heated exchange was filmed by outraged passerby Ian French, who claims the cap-wearing attendant told him he was "proud" of issuing the ticket.

Ian, 47, said: "I felt so strongly about the unfairness of what was happening that I started filming on my iPhone, hoping to bring attention to what was happening to the hardworking paramedics.

"I believe they were just collecting some food and water eight hours into their shift.

"It is a private parking firm working for the landlord, who I believe owns the car park and the businesses around it.

"The parking enforcement signs were only installed a few weeks ago. The locals are not happy about it, nor are some of the businesses."

Ian, a cameraman, was collecting his daughter from her last day at school when he saw the parking warden issuing the ticket.

In the video, he can be heard explaining the paramedics were on call, but the warden answers: "It's not on call - she was having lunch. Where's the sirens?

"They are getting some food so they are not on call are they?"

The female paramedic then appears and asks where she should park, because the van doesn't fit in any of the bays - apart from disabled spots.

She adds: "I've been on since quarter to seven this morning. I've had nothing to drink and nothing to eat, and now I'd like to go to Tesco to get some water."

He answers: "I understand, that's fine, you can do that, but you can't be parking on a double yellow line, can you?"

It is understood the attendant does not work for Tesco, but works for a private firm.

The video has sparked a furious debate online with some defending the ticket warden while others were on the side of the paramedics.

Jeremy Vine received a divided response from his followers when he shared the clip and tweeted: "I hate the way the guy who is filming this treats the parking warden, even if the attendant is in the wrong ... he's got a crap job and he shouldn't be called an idiot by some randomer."

One woman replied: "Why would you even ticket an ambulance? Even if she wasn't responding to an emergency? I'd say they have more of a 'crap' job, clearing up abusive and drunken messes on a Friday/Saturday night with little thanks. Attendant should be ashamed of himself."

Another said: "The guy is in right the ambulance is parked on double yellow lines there not answering an emergency call & just parking there because there an ambulance this happens way to often". (sic)

A third disagreed writing: "On the other side of the coin though, ambulance staff are expected to reach most Category 1 calls in under 7 minutes. If they are 3 minutes away from their ambulance, because they have to park it in a parking space convenient to parking attendants; you could in fact die..."

A fourth argued: "I don’t even think the attendant was in the wrong. The ambulance was not attending an emergency and simply pulled up alongside the shop for their convenience, blocking the road, in breach of the law."