Misunderstanding led to paramedic rushing to emergency call about injured pigeon

A London Ambulance Service paramedic rushed to the aid of a collapsed woman at around 5.50pm on Sunday only to find it was a pigeon that needed treatment.



Senior paramedic Rachel Lack arrived at the Broadway in Southall, west London, only to discover that the 'bird' she had been called to help was of the feathered variety. She said: "When I arrived I saw three men and a woman standing around a pigeon.

"I asked if they had called an ambulance for the pigeon and they said they had. They were surprised to learn that the ambulance service is for humans not animals." Two cycle responders from St John Ambulance, who were providing medical cover at a nearby event, were also called to the scene.



A language barrier meant the call handler in the control room believed the patient was a woman, not a pigeon, in need of help. Director of Operations Jason said: "Fortunately incidents like this are very rare but we'd still like to remind people to use us wisely and contact our colleagues in the RSPCA for advice on animal welfare."