Full Breakdown
Teenage Girl Falls from Ambulance on M6, Causing Major Disruption
1/7/2026, 10:17:42 PM
Incident Overview
On January 6, 2023, a teenage girl fell from the back of an ambulance on the M6 motorway, specifically at junction 32, which connects to the M55. The incident occurred shortly after 5 PM, prompting emergency services to respond and subsequently close the slip road for nearly two hours. The girl was transported to a hospital but is not believed to have sustained serious injuries.
Emergency Response and Traffic Impact
Lancashire Police reported receiving the first call about the incident at 5:17 PM. Initially, they described the situation as a road traffic collision, which led to the closure of the motorway slip road. Officers advised drivers to seek alternative routes due to significant delays caused by the closure. The road was fully reopened by 7 PM.
The North West Ambulance Service confirmed that the girl exited the moving ambulance while it was traveling on the slip road. They stated, “The patient was treated on scene and taken to hospital with suspected minor injuries. Thankfully, no one else was injured.”
Broader Context: Strain on Ambulance Services
This incident occurred amid a surge in 999 calls to ambulance services across the UK, attributed to severe winter weather conditions. The freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall have placed additional strain on emergency services, with some trusts reporting increases in call volumes of up to 19% compared to previous weeks. The London Ambulance Service, for instance, received 42,118 calls in one week, marking an 8% increase.
Criticism & Opposition
While the incident itself has drawn attention, it also highlights the broader challenges faced by ambulance services during extreme weather. Critics have pointed out that the increased demand for emergency services can lead to delays in response times for other patients. In light of the current conditions, ambulance services have urged individuals who can make their own way to hospitals to do so, as arriving by ambulance does not guarantee quicker treatment.
Official Statements
Lancashire Police reiterated their commitment to investigating the incident, stating, “We received a report that a teenage girl had fallen from the back of an ambulance... She has been taken to hospital but is thankfully not thought to have suffered any serious injuries.” The North West Ambulance Service also expressed their concern for the patient’s recovery and emphasized their collaboration with police during the incident.
What's Next
As the UK braces for further adverse weather conditions, including Storm Goretti, which is expected to bring additional snow and rain, ambulance services are likely to continue facing heightened demand. Health officials have extended cold health alerts, warning that the ongoing severe weather could impact public health and increase the risk of injuries related to slips and falls.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The patient was treated on scene and taken to hospital with suspected minor injuries.” — North West Ambulance Service
- “? LancsLive reports how the teenage girl was taken to hospital but is not thought to have suffered any serious injuries.” — Lancashire Police
