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'Busiest week' for 999 calls in Manchester

by Chris Bradley. Published Tue 29 May 2012 09:48

The North West Ambulance service has dealt with its busiest week this year receiving almost 19,000 emergency calls.

Of those 7,700 were immediately life threatening and the surge equates to a 12 per cent increase compared to last year.

Despite public warnings there were 18 seperate water-related incidents for people who had had an accident or got into difficulty in unsafe areas.

The figures come after a weekend where more than seven people died in tragic circumstances trying to cool off on the coast or in country parks.

The last victim of the heatwave was 15 year-old Thomas Barton who drowned after jumping into water at Yarrow Valley Country Park in Chorley.

Director of Emergency Services Derek Cartwright said: "We traditionally see a rise in the number of incidents and we did prepare for this.

"However, today we are still receiving a high number of emergency calls and we are once again urging the public not to call 999 unless it is a serious emergency.

"Our services are urgently needed by those who are seriously ill or have life threatening conditions.

"In hot weather such as this there tends to be more respitaory-related incidents.

"By keeping safe we can all enjoy the summer, however brief it may be, and we can ensure that those who really need our help can receive a timely response."



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