A FATHER has told of the terrifying moment his car collided with an ambulance answering an emergency call.

Craig Parkin was with his five-year-old daughter, Katy, when their Vauxhall Zafira and a St John Ambulance collided in Tantobie, near Stanley, County Durham on Sunday night.

The ambulance was on its way to a potentially life-threatening case in Consett and had its blue lights on.

The vehicles collided just after 8.30pm at the Liberty Terrace junction with Blanche Terrace, leaving the ambulance on its side.

Both airbags of the family car were deployed and although Mr Parkin and his daughter were not seriously injured, he said the crash left his little girl terrified and screaming hysterically.

Mr Parkin, a father-of-four, who works as a labourer, said: “It seemed to come out of nowhere. I did not see him until it was too late.

“I got a sharp jerk and a bit of whiplash. My daughter was put on a stretcher. It was not too serious, not compared to what it could have been. It could have been much worse. It was a big shock for Katy. She was crying and in hysterics.”

Mr Parkin had been on his way to a shop at Burnopfield at the time of the crash.

The ambulance driver was not hurt but his passenger needed treatment for a fractured wrist.

Both ambulance men came over to check on Mr Parkin and his daughter before they were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham for a check up.

Mr Parkin, 31, from Tanfield Lea, said: “I am off work after the crash and the car is a total write off. I hurt my arm. It is not broken but badly sprained. I have been to the doctors to get some strong painkillers for it. I am a builders’ labourer and supposed to lift scaffolding but I cannot even pick the kids up.”

The original medical emergency was dealt with by a rapid response paramedic from North East Ambulance Service and the St John Ambulance was providing transport to hospital.

Another NEAS ambulance was sent instead.

NEAS and St John Ambulance have both confirmed an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash has been launched.

The road was closed until about 11.40pm while both vehicles were recovered.

A spokesman for the Durham police said investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information can call the police non-emergency number, 101.