A DAD was told there were no ambulances available after he had been hit by a car and a frantic 999 call.
Jonathan Mitchell was unable to walk after the smash and was left lying in the road in the pouring rain.
Mr Mitchell, 26, had been struck by a car as he crossed a zebra crossing on The Green, Ossett, last Thursday.
He was knocked into the road and found in the pouring rain by a passer-by.
Fearing Mr Mitchell had broken his leg and severely damaged his back, the passer-by made an emergency call for paramedics.
Police arrived at the scene and called themselves to see when the ambulance would be arriving.
But the officers were told they were busy and no ambulance would be available for almost another hour.
Mr Mitchell was eventaully taken to hospital by a passing St John Ambulance crew.
They spotted him at the side of the road ion the pouring rain as they returned to their Healey Road base.
Mr Mitchell said: It was pouring down and freezing cold. I couldn’t believe they hadn’t even sent a rapid response car.
“If I had needed life-saving treatment I wouldn’t have got it. If it wasn’t for St John’s I don’t know what I’d have done, we’re all very grateful for their help.”
Mr Mitchell, who lves with his wife Laura and two-year-old daughter Maisie on Grove Street, Ossett, has spent Christmas hobbling with crutches after suffering suspected ligament damage.
”David Williams, deputy director of operations at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We would like to apologise to Mr Mitchell for any distress caused following the 999 call made to us on 20 December 2012.
“The family have been in touch with the Trust directly and we will be looking into this further on their behalf.”
Paul Caffrey, regional ambulance services manager, said: “St John Ambulance supports our colleagues in the emergency services wherever and whenever we are able to. Our teams are fully trained and equipped for situations such as this so we were pleased to help where we could and we wish Mr Mitchell a speedy recovery and a happy and healthy new year.”
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said they were called to the crash at 6.41pm.
He said the driver stayed at the scene and there were no arrests.