AMBULANCE chiefs today denied that an ambulance crew transferring a heart patient between two hospitals got lost.

The ambulance crew from Atherton was taking the patient from Salford's Hope Hospital to Manchester Royal Infirmary. But the patient died en route.

The Atherton crew was used because it was already at Hope dropping another patient off.

Greater Manchester Ambulance Service said the ambulance was delayed by roadworks and had to detour.

The three and a half mile journey took 28 minutes.

It is not known whether the delay in the journey made any difference to the patient's condition.

GMAS spokesman Brian Johnson said: "Given the circumstances there is no need to hold an inquiry."

He added that the two crew had 24 years' experience and had driven to the infirmary many times before.

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