A SERIOUSLY injured man had to wait 26 minutes for medical assistance after a crash on the Sussex-Hampshire border at the weekend.

Sussex Ambulance Service said it answers 95 per cent of calls within 19 minutes, but this call was one of the five per cent that falls outside that timing.

The accident happened outside Princes Garden Centre in London Road, Rake, on the B2070, the old A3, at 2-20 pm.

A blue Toyota four-wheel-drive pickup travelling from Liphook along the B2070 was in collision with a Peugeot 405 estate travelling in the opposite direction.

The 48-year-old driver of the Peugeot suffered serious fractures to his arms and legs. The 24-year-old driver and the male passenger in the Toyota had slight injuries.

Staff from the garden centre immediately alerted the emergency services and several of them came to the assistance of the injured and helped to direct traffic.

An off-duty member of Hampshire Fire Service at Copnor, who happened to be at the garden centre, crawled into the Peugeot to support and immobilise the driver to protect his spine.

The Copnor man stayed with the driver until the roof was removed from the car and the paramedics could reach him.

Sussex Ambulance Service director of operations, Trevor Anderson, told The Herald: ÒWe received the call for assistance at 2-21 pm. We dispatched a Sussex immediate care scheme doctor, two response cars, two ambulances,and a helicopter.

ÒThe first unit arrived at 2-47 pm, a 26-minute response.

We answer 95 per cent of calls within 19 minutes. Regrettably this was one of the calls where we were not able to get there as quickly as we would have liked. It is right on the edge of our area.Ó

The accident was also attended by a fire appliance from Liphook and two from Midhurst.

Hydraulic cutting gear was used to free the driver from the Peugeot and he was taken by helicopter to Worthing hospital.

The two occupants of the Toyota were freed before the fire service arrived. They were taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham.

The owner of Princes Garden Centre, Andrew Prince, said: ÒAll my staff behaved exceptionally well and helped in every way they could.Ó

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Chichester traffic office on 0845 60 70 999.