EMERGENCY services have issued a statement after an ambulance was involved in a 'heartbreaking' fatal collision.

Police are currently investigating the fatal two-vehicle crash that saw a major road closed for most of the day.

It happened on the A66 on January 11 at around 8.50am at Burns Farm east of Keswick, and involved a Fiat Punto and an ambulance.

The driver of the Fiat – a woman in her 30s – died at the scene of the crash.

The paramedics travelling in the ambulance were not seriously injured.

The ambulance had no patients and was not using blue lights during the crash.

The road was reopened at around 8.30pm yesterday evening (Thursday).

Gene Quinn, North West Ambulance Service's head of service for Cumbria and Lancashire, said: “Tragically, at approximately 8.50am on Thursday, an ambulance heading back to base in Keswick was involved in a serious collision with a car on the A66.

“Immediate emergency care was given to the female driver of the car by the crew involved.

"This was quickly supported by another ambulance crew, an emergency doctor, a critical care helicopter crew and two operational commanders.

"Sadly, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The crew members were taken to hospital to be assessed and treated for minor injuries.

"They have since been discharged but are continuing to receive welfare support.

“This is a heartbreaking incident, and our sincere condolences go out to the patient’s family and friends and all those involved.

"We are fully supporting the police investigation into the incident.”

Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at cumbria.police.uk/report-it quoting incident number 32 of January 11, 2024. 

You can also phone on 101.