A PARAMEDIC who diverted an ambulance containing a 999 patient who later died has quit his job.

Father-of-four Ali Asghar, 69, died soon after arriving at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, after the paramedic, 53, drove the ambulance to a depot in Stockton, on May 18, instead of the hospital.

The paramedic and a 54-year-old technician who was with the patient at the time were suspended.

The technician is being retrained.

Paul Liversidge, director of ambulance operations, for the North East Ambulance Service, said: "We are sorry that this incident occurred and would like to reassure people that the behaviour of the crew involved fell far short of the high standards we expect of our staff in treating patients.

"It showed a huge lack of concern for patient care and was a shocking breach of our protocols and procedures regarding the care of patients and their transport to hospital."

Read the full story in tomorrow's Northern Echo