A community leader has raised concerns after ambulance crews took more than hour to attend the scene of a road accident.

Eastern Daily Press: Peter ByattPeter Byatt (Image: Archant)

After a vehicle hit a wall and rolled on to its roof in the front garden of a Pakefield home at 1.40pm on Thursday, nearby residents rushed to the aid of the four occupants of the car providing comfort until an ambulance arrived more than an hour later.

Peter Byatt, Suffolk County Councillor for the Pakefield ward, said: 'This sort of delay for any road traffic accident is concerning. It is not my place to criticise as the ambulance service is doing its best but I would be concerned if this delay was linked to cuts to the ambulance service, which is inexcusable.'

He added: 'As a member of the public you would like to think the ambulance service would be there as soon as possible, although I understand there were diversions and delays due to other more life-threatening incidents, this is still very concerning.'

It took an ambulance one hour and 20 minutes to arrive at the scene of the crash in Pakefield Street, an ambulance service spokesman said: 'The first call came in at 1.40pm and the first ambulance was on the scene just before 3pm.

'Three separate crews had been dispatched. However, they were diverted to calls graded as life-threatening emergencies.'

Three of the four occupants, of the Fiat 500 car involved, were taken to James Paget University Hospital for treatment to neck and back pain- while the other made his own way to hospital.

A 17-year-old boy from the Lowestoft area has been cautioned by police and will be interviewed for motoring offences in the coming days.