AN AMBULANCE crewman was taken to hospital in the back of his own vehicle after being assaulted while on a 999 call.

The victim and his colleague went to a house in Athelstan Road, Margate, in response to a call about a man needing medical assistance.

On arrival he was punched and kicked, causing bruising and a large cut inside his mouth. He was taken to the QEQM hospital at Margate.

An Ambulance Service Union spokesman said: “We are getting a lot of these instances at the moment. In London, the crews wear stab vests. Drugs and drink are the problem. At weekends, 80 per cent of our work is drink-related.”

The incident involving the ambulance crewman at Margate happened just before 4am on Friday. Police have arrested a 43-year-old Margate man on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.