Tragedy paramedic hit 77mph jury told

An ambulance driver involved in a death crash drove at speeds of more than 70mph with his blue beacon on on a low-urgency callout, jurors heard.

Paramedic Kevin Webster's Vauxhall estate hit the side of a Ford Ka killing pensioner driver Wendy Williams. She pulled out of a side road ahead of the ambulance, which braked heavily.

It could not avoid hitting the driver's side.

Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting, told Stafford crown court: "She pulled out of a side road when the defendant's car was in vision, therefore she was at fault.

"We say Kevin Webster was at fault as well."

Webster, aged 33, of Selwyn Road, Burntwood, denies causing death by careless driving.

He was answering a "category C" call – the least urgent – to a boy in Tamworth who swallowed a coin.

Trust targets were to respond within 30 minutes.

He would have met this at an average speed of 16mph. A tracking device recorded a speed of 77mph at one point.

The accident was at a staggered junction in Tamworth Road, Lichfield.

Mrs Williams, of Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich, was visiting her daughter.

In the Ka with her was neighbour Mrs Norma Bates. She survived the December 23, 2009 crash but has no recollection of it.

Webster braked heavily and the estimated speed at contact was 41mph.

The trial, expected to last a week, continues.