A 92-YEAR-OLD woman who fell and cut her head was forced to lie on the pavement in the blazing sun for an hour and a half before an ambulance arrived.

The pensioner collapsed in New Canal on May 12.

Paramedics were called at 2.05pm, 2.27pm, and again at 2.43pm, but the ambulance did not arrive until 3.28pm – 1 hour 23 minutes after the first call.

A woman who witnessed the scene, but wished to remain anonymous, has complained to health bosses about the “disgraceful situation”.

She said: “I am not only angry and ashamed of the treatment of that elderly lady, but disbelieving that such a thing could happen in a city that has a major hospital less than five miles from the city centre.”

She praised passers-by who rushed to help the stricken pensioner.

“The three young men who were assisting were brilliant – giving as much support, reassurance, protection, and support as was possible, but it was also very distressing for them, not being able to get the help they knew that the lady desperately needed,” she said.

And she added: “I hope that I never have to witness such a disgraceful situation again, but I fear it is a sad reflection of the desperate situation our health service is suffering.”

A spokesman for the South West Ambulance Service said: “There was a delay in responding to the call due to the exceptionally high demand in the area on the day.

“The Trust would like to thank the PCSO and members of the public who provided first aid while an ambulance was on its way. We would encourage the patient and her family to contact the Trust to discuss the issue further.”