A serious, multi-agency emergency incident is unfolding in Upper Ventnor this afternoon (Friday).
Police, fire and ambulance crews are all on scene at Steephill Down Road, off the main road into Ventnor – near The Graben.
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has landed in the nearby cemetery to enable flying medics to support blue light colleagues with the ongoing incident.
Island Echo understands that the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has deployed at least 3 ambulances and a critical care paramedic to the scene.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has mobilised several fire appliances, including the Rescue Support Vehicle and a Incident Command Support van, both from Newport.
It was just before 14:28 that Police were seen rushing on blue lights and sirens into Wroxall, en-route to Upper Ventnor.
UPDATE @ 15:30 – It has been confirmed by authorities that the incident has been declared a false alarm.
HIWFRS says that a retained crew from Ventnor was mobilised at the request of Police, with a multitude of other resources almso mobilised. However, all appliances were stood down at 15:18.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has not expanded on what exactly prompted the major emergency responses, but has said that the call was in relation to a ‘concern for welfare’.
The initial call was made at 14:19, with the incident stood down by 14:40.
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance – funded by donations alone – remains on the ground ahead of flying off to its next mission.
Whoever created this chaos & unbelievable response due to a fake incident, should be made to pay the cost of the call out of all responders. I hope the police find out who this was quick smart.
Good to see your tax being used.
What an absolute sh1t-shower!! As I repeatedly say, why do we ask for all these responders to an unsubstituted call. Surely a paramedic should be dispatched first then call in help as required. With all the call outs for the Air Ambulance, it will run out of donation money and have to be grounded.
All it needed up there was a couple of coppers, a drugs wipe, a van to throw the druggies in & a lorry to take the untaxed, un mot’d & most probably uninsured vehicle away.
The smell of weed coming from a white transit van parked there when I walked down that way one evening in the summer was pungent. I am since told the incomer living in that vehicle was caught driving without a license and under the influence of drugs. So how he can still be in charge of a vehicle parked on the highway is somewhat baffling.
So 4000 pounds spunked away then..Air ambulance is called all the time now sometimes when it really is not needed.