Woman dies after waiting for ambulance for two hours after crash

An elderly woman has died after the Welsh Ambulance Service took almost two hours to attend the scene of a serious car crash in Llanrwst.

The woman, who has not been named, was airlifted to hospital following a two vehicle crash on the A470 on 19 September.

She died two days later.

The incident which happened just after 3pm involved three other people who were injured, with the road being shut for almost eight hours.

An ambulance had been called at 3.12pm, but the first to attend the scene arrived at 5pm, with a second at 5:30pm.

The service has said the incident had been "categorised as a serious but not immediately life-threatening call".

However one bystander who stopped at the crash to help, has said it was "distressing" and "frustrating" that the ambulance service took so long to attend.

Charles Owen also said: "There were six police cars on the scene but what was needed were ambulances. It was a horrible situation and it's so very sad to hear the poor lady has died.

"We kept on hearing sirens in the distance thinking, hoping it was an ambulance but it never was. It's very sad and unacceptable that the ambulance service has come to this."

Janet Finch-Saunders, the Aberconwy AM has said: "This is scandalous, my thoughts go out to the family and friends of this poor lady.

"Lives are now being lost and I'm shocked to hear what has happened in this tragic incident.

"The ambulance service is now being called as people can't even see their GP's. It's awful all around at the moment and I have raised it as a debate in the Senedd."

Stephen Sheldon, from the Welsh Ambulance Service in North West Wales has said: “We had a call at 3.12pm on Sunday 19 September to reports of a two-vehicle road traffic collision in Llanrwst, which was categorised as a serious but not immediately life-threatening call.

"We sent two ambulances and an air ambulance, the first resource arriving at scene approximately one hour after the call.

"We’re keen to better understand the concerns of those involved, and would invite patients or their representatives to contact the Trust so that we can liaise directly with them.”

A blue Mazda 6 and a black Peugeot 208 were involved in the crash.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have dash cam footage that could help the investigation are asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number Z138698.