Two Nottingham paramedics were forced to leave their ambulance after a patient assaulted them and began damaging the vehicle while being taken to hospital.
Several pictures of the ambulance were posted on social media after the incident on Alfreton Road late on Sunday night (November 5).
East Midlands Ambulance Service (Emas) said the crew were taking a patient to hospital who had “complex mental health needs” and was detained under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act.
A spokesman for the service said during the journey the patient became agitated and assaulted the paramedic who was caring for them in the back of the vehicle.
The other was able to pull over on Alfreton Road and both then got out while the patient continued to damage the vehicle, smashing the windows and breaking equipment inside.
Wendy Hazard, operations manager for Emas, said: “We do not tolerate violence of any kind we are working with Nottinghamshire Police to ensure the appropriate support and action is taken. Our colleagues have pulled together to make sure the ambulance was returned and replaced as quickly as possible.
“Our fleet services are now doing a fantastic job to repair and deep clean the vehicle to make it safe so it can continue to help patients across Nottinghamshire.”
After the police were called and intervened the patient was taken to hospital in another vehicle.
The assaulted paramedic suffered minor injuries in the incident.
Student Daniel Sault, 19, was walking home from the Forest Rec fireworks display when he saw the ambulance.
He said: “The windscreen was full of holes and cracks where it had obviously been hit with a blunt object. With the blackened side windows completely smashed and glass all over the floor.
“The headlights had also been smashed in and all the paint was scratched. It was clear the equipment inside the ambulance had also been vandalised.”
Notts TV has contacted Notts Police for further information.