Has time come to review access arrangements for emergency vehicles after incident at Tetney Marshes?

The rain-soaked spot where the luckless walker slipped and took a tumble. The gate on the right is padlocked. 

ACCESS arrangements for emergency vehicles may need to be reviewed after a weekend incident at the edge of the RSPB’s reserve at Tetney Marshes.

During mid-morning today, a middle-aged female walker slipped and fell on the muddy sea bank.

She was reportedly immobile and in pain after a serious injury to one leg.

Her female companion rang for an ambulance, but, though it arrived within the hour, personnel were unable to treat the woman immediately.

They were unable to reach her promptly because two gates were locked - one at the yacht club car park, the other at the sea bank entrance to the reserve.

In the meantime, the distressed woman was lying in mud and the rain was falling.

As well as providing comfort, her companion - plus others who stopped to help - faced another issue.

Several off-lead dogs had to be shoo-ed away after running up to the woman.

Medical aid was eventually applied after a paramedic hurried from  his ambulance to attend.

In the meantime, a North East Lincolnshire Council beach safety truck was able to reach the scene via a bank the edge of Thorpe Park holiday village.

It is believed the patient was then taken, possibly in the truck, to the ambulance for further checks.

It is not known if she subsequently required admission to hospital or if she was able to return home following treatment by the paramedics.

Also locked - the gate leading to the sea bank from the yacht club car park

The ambulance had to park more than 100 metres from the incident because of the padlocked gate

With stretcher transferred from the ambulance, the council safety vehicle heads for the scene

Although there is a sign with an emergency telephone number on the approach to the car park, the information is not posted where it was needed 

The Grimsby News says: It is understandable why secure gates are in place. There have been problems in the past with issues such as overnight parking and disturbance to birds and walkers from  off-road bikers on the sea bank. But when emergencies occur, access is required - often as a matter of urgency. There should surely be arrangements for there to be a delegated gatekeeper, one living close to the reserve and with conspicuous contact details, so that padlocks can be removed and gates opened as and when an emergency arises.