Woman lay hurt in road for hours

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Ambulance chiefs are investigating after a woman lay collapsed in a street for almost three hours before she was taken to hospital in a police van.

The 53-year-old was cared for by police as she lay in the road after falling in Cardiff at about 1840 BST on Thursday.

A newspaper reported that an ambulance was called, but she went to hospital in a police van at 2120 BST after a police officer brought a first aid kit.

The Welsh Ambulance Service voiced its concern and said it was investigating.

South Wales Police said the woman had a head wound.

The South Wales Echo said it was understood concerns that the woman had injured her neck meant she could not be moved until she was checked.

South Wales Police said officers were told about the injured woman while they were patrolling the area.

I went back into my house and got hold of shower curtain to put over her because she was soaking wet Paul Mason

She had collapsed in Albert Road, Canton, and was complaining of neck pains.

The force said a roads policing officer, who was was able to perform first aid as a qualified first responder, then attended the scene.

The woman was eventually taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

The Echo said neighbours tried to help the woman, taking her quilts and cushions to keep her warm and comfortable as it was raining.

One resident, Paul Mason, said: "The police were holding an umbrella over her. I went back into my house and got hold of a shower curtain to put over her because she was soaking wet."

In a statement, South Wales Police said: "We would like to thank the members of the public who were present in Albert Road for their assistance and support."

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: "We would like to express our concern about this incident, we take all complaints seriously.

"We are unable to comment on individual cases but we will investigate this incident internally and will discuss it with the patient and/or relatives."