Transplant organ ambulance driver threatened with speeding ticket

THE DRIVER of a private ambulance rushing a human organ from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary could face action for speeding, it was reported today.

By The Newsroom

Published 8th Aug 2011, 09:31 BST

Updated 8th Aug 2011, 13:18 BST

The driver was on his way to Newcastle in the special vehicle when police clocked him doing 112 mph. But despite a letter of mitigation submitted to Lothian and Borders Police pointing out the driver was "essentially helping to save a life", a case may still be brought.

It is understood a police speed camera on the A1 recorded the offence, with officers in Edinburgh then sending a letter to the driver.

Police themselves then travelled to Newcastle to interview him further. Bosses at Lifeline Medical Transport Service have asked for the case to be dropped, bearing in mind the circumstances.

A spokeswoman said: "All our drivers undergo an intensive programme of training to drive at high speed.

"All our vehicles are tracked so that we can give police a full report of any incident which occurs."

A police spokesman said: "There is no statutory exemption which exists for private ambulances to break the speed limit in the force area."

Newcastle Police