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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ryan Merrifield

Family of man, 87, builds him garden shelter while waiting 15 hours for ambulance

The family of an 87-year-old man who fell at home were forced to build a shelter for him out of a football goal as he waited 15 hours for an ambulance.

Great-grandfather, David, from of St Columb Road, Cornwall, was left lying in the rain through the night.

He had taken a tumble and suffered serious injuries including seven broken ribs, two fractures to his pelvis and an arm wound.

His daughter Karen and son-in-law Trevor called 999 at 7.30pm on Monday but an ambulance didn't arrive until 11.30am on Tuesday morning.

They said they called four or five times through the night and were assured paramedics would be with them "soon".

Have you had a similar experience? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk

David waited 15 hours overnight for the ambulance to arrive (SWNS)

The family said operators told them not to move him - in case it made his injuries worse.

So they then had to use a football goal, umbrellas and a tarpaulin to give him shelter as the rain poured down.

There is currently lengthy waiting times for hospital treatment in Cornwall - with patients claiming they waited outside hospital in ambulances for hours - and even days.

David was treated at Royal Cornwall Hospital (DC Media)

David is now recovering at Royal Cornwall in Treliske.

His family tweeted a picture of the makeshift shelter.

Trevor said: ''He was walking to the garage when he tripped and fell over. That was 7.30pm on Monday.

''We dialled 999 but an ambulance didn't arrive for over 15 hours.

''We kept ringing and they would say we will be with you soon. My wife was a nervous wreck.

''They kept telling us not to move him so we borrowed a football goal from next door and used a tarpaulin. It was traumatising.''

The Mirror has contacted Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust for comment.

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