'I'm not going to make it!': Worn-out shopper dials 999 for ambulance to take her home

Chloe Chaplain2 September 2016

A tired shopper dialled 999 to ask an ambulance to drive her two miles home because she had sore feet.

The 32-year-old, who had spent the day shopping in Stratford-upon-Avon, said she couldn’t walk home after being on her feet all day.

She phoned the emergency number and requested an ambulance to come and pick her up with her shopping, saying: "I'm not going to make it in this condition".

West Midlands Ambulance Service dispatcher Jo Bird tweeted about the incident, labelling it "999 abuse".

She said: "Female aged 32 has just called 999 as her feet are hurting after being out shopping all day & wants a ride home #999abuse #notataxiservice".

A recording of the call, made on Tuesday evening, has been released by the service.

In it the woman is heard saying: "Sorry about this but I've been on my feet all day and now my feet are hurting so much that I can't walk.

"They're burning. I've tried to tighten them or loosen them (her shoes) but it's not changing.

"I've got two miles to walk home and I'm not going to make it in this condition."

When the dispatcher told her the ambulance service would not be able to take her home, she said: "What will you do then?"

The caller hung up when the dispatcher tried to tell her an ambulance would take her to hospital if there was a medical reason for her not being able to walk.

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