The families of two elderly individuals who lost their lives in a collision involving an ambulance are still seeking answers over two years after the incident occurred.
Despite the driver of the private ambulance admitting guilt to causing death due to careless driving, the bereaved relatives of Jane Blampied and Anthony Dawbarn remain unsatisfied with the lack of clarity surrounding the crash. Julie Ijere, the driver, received a suspended 20-month prison sentence and a five-year driving ban with the requirement to undergo an extended retest.
Detective Inspector Dave McCormack from Suffolk Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit expressed sympathy for the families, acknowledging the prolonged legal process and the families’ ongoing emotional struggle. He mentioned that while Ijere took responsibility by admitting guilt, the cause of the collision remains unknown, causing further distress to the affected families.
The tragic incident occurred when Ijere, driving the ambulance with two patients and a colleague on board, veered into the path of a Volkswagen Golf driven by Ms. Blampied. This resulted in the ambulance tipping over, leading to the unfortunate demise of Mr. Dawbarn, a 93-year-old patient who succumbed to his injuries at Addenbrooke’s Hospital two days later.
Ijere admitted guilt to causing death by careless driving in a previous court appearance. Suffolk Police reviewed CCTV and dashcam footage from the incident, confirming that the ambulance had crossed into the opposite lane, colliding with the oncoming vehicle without any evident distractions or mobile phone usage by the driver.
Although Ijere was on prescription medication at the time of the accident, investigations did not find any indications that this impaired her driving ability. Victim impact statements presented during the proceedings highlighted the profound and lasting impact of the tragic loss on the families and acquaintances of the deceased individuals.
In addition to her legal penalties, Ijere has been mandated to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and participate in a 15-day rehabilitation program. Furthermore, she was directed to pay a £500 victim surcharge along with £187 in costs as part of the court’s ruling.