An ambulance worker who was unable to refuel after a 13-hour shift due to queues at a petrol station has blasted the "selfish" people who are "panic-buying" when there is no need to.
The unnamed key worker opened up about the dismay at finding a 30-minute queue to refuel after a gruelling shift picking up 999 calls.
The NHS worker, from Lincolnshire, said in an open letter to the Lincolnite newspaper that once they finish work they "barely have the energy to drive home", let alone wait for fuel.
They went on to blast those who have been stockpiling as concerns spread over the shortage of fuel at stations, saying there's no actual need to panic-buy.
The letter reads: "I am currently on fumes and was unable to refuel [Friday], mainly because after a 13/14 hour shifts often with no break (due to NHS pressures from people abusing the system), working on the ambulances, I barely have the energy to drive home never mind sit in a queue for 30 mins plus for people to refuel unnecessarily (AND THIS INCLUDES WITNESSING PEOPLE FILL UP FUEL CANS – one person filling up their car AND THREE fuel cans).
"My days off are precious to me currently, like a lot of us, so I am going to have to risk getting fuel in the morning of my next shift, when no doubt there will be none available."
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Several petrol stations closures have been reported across Lincolnshire over the weekend.
The ambulance worker appealed for calm, adding: "It’s not just me who’s suffering, what’s next, staff being unable to get to work due to this?
"People not getting the medical help they need in time? Hospital staff not able to get to work?
"Police and fire unable to respond to emergencies?
"Come on guys sort yourselves out and just think about people other than yourself, you should be ashamed!
"This is the first lockdown all over again where essential workers, emergency service, hospital and care home staff are struggling to get BASIC essentials.
"Why do we bother risking our health and lives for others (we are still in a pandemic) when people cannot even behave normally and not act selfishly — if people bought items as normal there would be no ‘crisis’ as it’s being incorrectly worded, there is enough stock out there on the shelves and in the pumps if people behaved."
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A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police asked motorists not to join long queues at petrol stations.
He said: "This is a potential hazard for vehicles making other journeys, and may cause difficulties for emergency services trying to reach people in need.
"While we appreciate that some people may be particularly keen to fill up their vehicles this weekend, we would respectfully ask motorists to be sensible when making judgements about joining a queue at a petrol station.
"If it is too long, consider returning at a different time."
