No 999: Ambulance calls plummet during England matches – but surge after
It is amazing what a football match can do for the number of call-outs to the ambulance service.
This image of a West Midlands Ambulance Service station shows a whole host of the vehicles all lined up with nowhere to go during England's quarter final match against Sweden.
However, while the service has confirmed that the number of calls have been falling during England's matches there then appears to be a huge surge after the final whistle.
Jamie Arrowsmith of West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “The trust saw a significant fall in calls between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday while the England match was being played at the World Cup.
"It was interesting to note the huge surge in calls that then followed at 5pm, once the football had finished."
The service has urged people to think carefully about whether an ambulance really is required before dialling 999.
Mr Arrowsmith said: "We encourage everyone to use 999 wisely and consider whether your call really is an emergency.
"It cannot be co-incidental that there are suddenly less life-threatening emergencies taking place during a football match, yet everyone suddenly needs us again as soon as it has finished."
He added that the service was also predicting a repeat of the situation for today's semi-final against Croatia.
He said: "It would not be a surprise to see a similar pattern during the semi-final. We ask the public to consider, if you don’t need us during the football, do you really need us straight after it?"
