Off-road ambulance gets stuck in mud at High Coxlease, near Lyndhurst, by South Central Ambulance Service’s hazardous area response team

AN off-road ambulance had to be winched out of a bog two days after getting stuck in mud during a rescue in a remote part of the New Forest.

It was the first time hazardous area response team (HART) workers have needed such help in 13 years of use, according to South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS).

It got into difficulty en route to help an injured person on the land near High Coxlease, Lyndhurst, on Saturday.

HART manager David Findlay told the A&T: “The vehicle was helping bring an injured patient out of a remote area when it got stuck in very wet ground.

“The patient’s care was not affected; they were carried by our staff to an awaiting ambulance and taken on to hospital.

“The vehicle was winched out on Monday and returned to its base in Eastleigh to inspect for any damage and give it a good clean.

“It will shortly be returning to operational service.”

Before the recovery, Alan Wootton and fellow members of the Forest Rambling Club came across the Polaris during a walk just after 10.30am on Sunday.

“It was just such an amazing sight,” Alan said.

“At first we thought it might be an emergency. You see an ambulance in the middle of the Forest, it stands out.

“We went over to have a look and make sure everything was okay, but there was no one there.”

He added: “It’s clearly built for off-road, but there was no sensible path nearby. The front wheel was completely bogged in there.”

Alan and his partner Sylvia have been with the rambling club – which was founded in 1976 – since moving to New Milton 13 years ago. Sylvia has chaired it for five years.

Mr Findlay explained the Polaris was used by HART to reach incidents that take place “off the beaten track”.

He continued: “It’s not uncommon for them to get stuck in very difficult terrain, and our paramedics receive specialist training to ‘self-recover’ when they do get stuck.

“Unfortunately, in this case, despite many attempts by paramedics the vehicle could not be released from the bog.

“It’s the first time in 13 years where the crew hasn’t been able to recover a Polaris.”