You cannot have a situation where wheels are falling off ambulances responding to emergency calls

MP Kevan Jones

A spokeswoman for NEAS said the two types of Chevrolet vehicle used had suffered a number of mechanical failures since the fleet was brought from the US in 1993.

Durham North MP Kevan Jones has called for the ambulances to be fully re-examined "as a matter of urgency".

He said: "There have been serious concerns about the condition of these Chevrolets.

"Ambulance crews have questioned their suitability in the North East.

"You cannot have a situation where wheels are falling off ambulances responding to emergency calls."

No casualties

In a statement, NEAS said: "The vehicle was on an emergency call at the time and has already been withdrawn from service. Another vehicle immediately responded to the original call.

"An investigation programme is under way to bring all of these emergency vehicles in for examination.

"It is expected that will be completed over the weekend. This particular incident is now under full investigation."

A spokeswoman for the NEAS stressed that there were no casualties had been in the ambulance when the accident occurred.

At the time of the call, the crew had been responding to a Category B emergency at a private address, which is described as a serious but not life-threatening call.