Swinton player carried to hospital with foot ‘facing wrong way’ after ambulance failed to arrive

Swinton Lions players Will Hope was left angered on Sunday when an ambulance failed to arrive after he dislocated his ankle against Sheffield.

The 25-year-old forward sustained the serious injury in the first tackle of the game and after waiting three hours for the emergency service to arrive, the club’s players and staff took matters into their own hands.

When it became apparent the ambulance would not be coming, Hope’s team-mates carried him on and off the team coach which then dropped him off at Salford Royal Hospital.

Statement @Swinton_Lions pic.twitter.com/oHpwAnPetD

— Will Hope (@WLHope) February 4, 2019

In a statement on Twitter, a clearly infuriated Hope said: “To be treated like that, with my foot facing the wrong way for up to five hours because ‘it wasn’t a priority’ is disgusting – I wouldn’t wish that pain on my worst enemy.

“The St John’s Ambulance team at the ground was absolutely pointless, a major injury and there was ‘nothing they could do about it’.

“Hopefully the RFL address this so it does not happen again to anyone with a serious injury like this,” added Hope, who thanked well-wishers, both clubs and Salford Royal Hospital staff. “Disgrace, I’m sure if it was a Super League game it would be different.”

It remains to be seen whether the Rugby Football League will now put a greater level of emergency staff at games, with the full extent of Hope’s injury to be revealed in the next few days.

*Picture: Emily J Parker