A paramedic whose ambulance crashed after a brick was thrown through its windscreen has lost his eye.

Nick Horobin suffered serious head injuries when his ambulance overturned after the crash at Shirley Hollow, Derbyshire, on Sunday morning.

A male crew member and a friend of the patient were slightly injured.

East Midlands Ambulance Service said the attack on one of its drivers had hit the service hard.

'Preserve life'

Spokesman Phil Morris told BBC News Online: "This was an unprovoked and horrific attack on a member of the emergency services who was just doing his job.

"Everyone is devastated that something like this could happen. All of the staff here are trying to preserve life and reduce injuries without becoming victims themselves."

Mr Morris added that staff were more conscious of what could happen in the area after the incident.

He said: "It's not just our drivers, it's ordinary motorists and other emergency service drivers it affects as well."

Similar attacks

A collection has been started for Mr Horobin by his colleagues and Mr Morris urged anyone with any information to contact police.

Derbyshire Police have set up an incident room in Belper with 20 officers.

They said there may have been more than 20 similar attacks in the last month in the area.

Police records of damage to cars along the A52, A515 and A517 into Ashbourne are now being re-examined.

High profile patrols have been introduced along the three roads and spot checks are being carried out.