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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tim Hanlon

Paramedics on picket line rush to help motorcyclist who fell off his bike

Striking paramedics rushed to the aid of a motorcyclist who had fallen off his bike after blowing his horn in support of them.

Ambulance crews in Weymouth, Dorset, were grouped outside their station where they were calling for better working conditions as part of national industrial action, when they were unexpectedly called into action.

Shortly before midday a motorcyclist fell off his bike while blasting his horn in support and it led to six paramedics running over to check up on him.

Thousands of ambulance workers took industrial action on Wednesday, with members of the military stepping in to take their place and trusts telling patients only to call 999 in the case of a life-threatening emergency.

The next ambulance strike is due to take place on December 28.

Ambulance workers, paramedics and call handlers by an emergency control centre in south Liverpool (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

A witness who watched the paramedics spring into action in Weymouth said he was impressed at the way they went over to the motorcyclist and “checked him over”.

Laurence Herdman said: "I had been with the crews all morning talking to them about why they were doing it and what they hoped would happen.

"As motorists were driving past lots of them would use their horns or cheer out the window to show their support for the strike. It was approaching midday and some of the ambulance crews were having some food.

"A motorcyclist came round the corner and as he pressed his horn he lost control of the bike and flipped off. Instantly six paramedics were rushing over to make sure that he was okay, there was no hesitation.

"Thankfully he was alright and after they had checked him over he drove off."

Meanwhile it has been reported that the Government could fast-track an NHS pay rise next year following the historic strikes by paramedics and nurses the day before on Tuesday.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Health Secretary Steve Barclay is poised to offer an expedited pay deal after unions and ministers remained in stalemate over pay negotiations on Wednesday night.

The news outlet said a source close to Mr Barclay - who was criticised by unions for suggesting striking health workers had "made a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients" - revealed he is keen to "speed up the process" to give NHS staff a pay rise early next year to break the deadlock.

Unions have said they expect NHS workers to be offered a 2% increase next year, based on a letter sent by Mr Barclay last month to the NHS Pay Review Body.

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