A rugby player was airlifted to hospital – after the teams were told it would be a “three-hour wait” for a road ambulance.
Aberdeenshire Quines RFC’s president Erin Dicks was injured during the clash with Fraserburgh’s ladies side on Saturday.
The incident happened at about 3pm, shortly before half-time, and players from both sides raced to her aid.
Initially they were told it would be three hours before an ambulance could reach them, but Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) was sent to the scene instead.
One player said Miss Dicks – who plays outside centre – appeared to be “in good spirits” as they sheltered her from the wind with post protectors.
The SCAA team landed at James Ramsey Park to pick up Miss Dicks, and took her to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The remainder of the match was called-off, and will be rescheduled for a later date.
‘She seemed in good spirits’
A Fraserburgh player, who did not want to be named, said Miss Dicks seemed in “good spirits” as she lay still waiting for paramedics.
She said: “I was playing in the game and next thing we knew it was half time, and it had been extended to allow an ambulance to come and collect the player. But one wasn’t available for three hours so the game was called then and there.
“We had taken the post protectors off and surrounded the casualty with them to provide wind protection too. She seemed in good spirits which was nice to see.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We received a call at 2.39pm on Saturday, October 1, to attend an incident at James Ramsay Park, Fraserburgh.
“We triage calls to ensure we prioritise the most seriously ill patients and based on the information provided over the phone by the caller, the call was triaged as suitable to be passed to one of our advanced paramedics for further assessment.
“Following an update on the patient’s condition, a paramedic and Helimed were dispatched to the scene, arriving within 20 minutes.
“SAS has a wide range of resources which can be deployed depending on the nature of the incident and the condition of the patient, such as ambulances, paramedic response units, air ambulances, advanced practitioners and community first responders.
“We will always dispatch the nearest and most appropriate response.”
Fraserburgh RFC declined to comment “out of respect for the player involved”.
Aberdeenshire Quines – Aberdeen’s only female rugby club – was approached for comment.
Over the weekend, NHS Grampian urged patients to stay away from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s A&E unless they were in a life-threatening condition.
Bosses said the department is under extreme pressure due to staff shortages and a high volume of acutely ill patients.
Executive nurse director June Brown said: “”We need the public to help us by only attending emergency departments if the situation is life-threatening – for example a suspected heart attack or stroke – in which case they should call 999 immediately.
“Everyone else can support our medics, and help us treat those needing life-saving care as quickly as possible, by calling NHS 24 on 111.”
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