LABOUR politicians have spoken out about ambulance resources after patients with minor injuries were taken to hospital by bus following an accident.

An accident involving an Arriva bus and a white Ford Focus in Thornaby on August 28 saw four people suffer minor injuries, including one with a broken wrist.

A rapid response paramedic attended and arranged for the injured to be taken to hospital in an Arriva bus after a back-up emergency ambulance was diverted to attend life-threatening calls-outs elsewhere.

However, Labour's Louise Baldock, who is standing for election next year in Stockton South, said: "The appalling response to this crash shows just how the NHS is being torn apart.

"The idea that the bus company had to ferry passengers to the hospital itself would be funny if it wasn't so serious, but well done to them for stepping up."

The rapid response paramedic accompanied the patients to hospital on board the bus.

A spokesman for the North-East Ambulance Service said: "A back-up emergency ambulance was stood down due to the minor nature of the incident, to allow them to respond to other life-threatening emergencies.

"It is normal practice that if all patients are clinically safe, they can be transported to hospital on a single patient transport vehicle, which is like a minibus. There was a high demand for patient transport vehicles a the time of the incident and none were available to attend the scene within an appropriate timescale.

"On this occasion our paramedic was resourceful in working with the bus company to find transportation that would take the walking wounded for a check-up at the hospital. We are extremely grateful to Arriva. "

MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Tom Blenkinsop said the ambulance service across the country was at "breaking point" and Newcastle East MP Nick Brown said the cuts had gone too far.