NI Ambulance vehicle involved in crash with lorry - Air Ambulance tasked to scene

Police said the road traffic collision happened within the vicinity of Mount Stewart Estate on Portaferry Road, Newtownards.

The incident left the road impassable until early evening and four people were taken to hospital.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said at 14:35 this afternoon it received reports that a NIAS Patient Care vehicle was involved in a collision with a lorry.

In a statement, the NIAS said: "One patient was on board the vehicle with two members of NIAS crew.

"One rapid response paramedic, one paramedic officer and three emergency ambulance crews were dispatched to the incident. The charity Air Ambulance was also tasked to the scene.

"Following assessment and treatment at the scene, the crew, their patient and the lorry driver involved in the incident have all been taken to the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald with non-life-threatening injuries."

On Tuesday night the NIAS tweeted: "NIAS attend approx 4500 - 5000 Road Traffic incidents every year. Our vehicles cover over 7 million miles a year.

"It's probably amazing that we are not involved in more accidents but when we see photos like this we are just grateful that everyone came out of this alive today."