Cycle Experience shop owner criticises safety of Brookley Road, New Forest, following crash involving ambulance and car

Ross Kempson, owner of Boost Bike Hub on Brookley Road, said it is “dangerous” and hopes the council will “review the junction for safety”.

The criticism comes to light after paramedics were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash in which their ambulance smashed into a building on Wednesday.

Police say the crash involved an ambulance and car and took place near the junction of Lymington Road and Brookley Road, Brockenhurst.

Officers say the ambulance then crashed into nearby shop, Boost Bike Hub.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) say two paramedics sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries and were taken to University Hospital Southampton.

The female car driver had sustained minor injuries and was also taken to hospital.

Owner of Boost Bike Hub, Ross Kempson, said: “It is a pretty dangerous junction as there are too many cars coming from different directions.

“I have sent pictures of dangerous actions there in the past to the council. They should really review the junction for safety as it won’t be long before there is a more serious incident there.

He added: “If the building was hit straight on, it could have probably gone through the window.”

“Lots of students cross that road as they walk across the junction after coming off the train. The building can absorb impact but pedestrians can’t.”

Police say the crash took place around 7.15pm.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “We were called at 7.14pm to reports of a collision on Brookley Road, Brockenhurst involving a car and an ambulance.

“The ambulance was also in collision with the cycle shop Boost Bike Hub.

“Three people were injured; two from the ambulance and one from the car.

“The road was closed while officers attended.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “We were sorry to hear of this incident and hope all those involved recover quickly.

"Safety comes first, and we routinely prioritise resources to sites where there is evidence that installing new traffic measures will bring about road safety improvements, in terms of road casualty reduction. 

“We regularly analyse injury accident data to determine what interventions could be introduced to reduce the number of people injured on our roads. 

"We will be asking the police for details of this incident and, together with a study of the injury accident record for this route, will consider if any interventions could be put in place to improve road safety.”