Jean Petch waited two hours for a St John paramedic to treat her when she fell and hit her head. Photo: Supplied via NZ HeraldA 91-year-old who fell and hit her head waited two hours for an ambulance to take her to hospital, after the first paramedic to arrive immediately fell ill and was unable to treat her. When the paramedic fell sick the crew from Bream Bay, 25 minutes away, was assigned. They were soon diverted to a more urgent job leaving the case to St John staff an hour away in Whangarei. Ellis said St John provided ambulance services to 90 percent of New Zealanders in 97 percent of the country's geographical area.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 04, 2021 19:41 UTC