A LIFE-SAVING volunteer was blocked from treating a critically-ill patient by an abusive and illegally parked driver.

Simon Taylor, an award-winning community first responder and Rochford’s Citizen of the Year, gives up his time to be the first at the scene at emergencies in the neighbourhood.

But when he was called to rush to help an elderly patient suffering fits, and possibly sepsis, he found his car blocked in.

The Rochford first responder said: “There’s usually cars parked either side but rarely cars blocking it - the driveway is in use 24 hours-a-day.

“I was going to leave and there was a large Nissan 4x4 parked across the middle of it which prevented me from getting out.

“Despite there being a very small gap to get out, and I do have a small car, to try and get out would have caused a danger to me and other road users because the view was obstructed.

“The driver did return and I identified myself as a CFR attending an emergency and was told I could’ve got out if I wanted to.

“The tone of the language became very aggressive and it was very intimidating.”

The incident took place on Wednesday on an unnamed side street leading off Weir Pond Road, Rochford. Mr Taylor explained the driver eventually moved from the road, with double yellow lines and a solid white line outside the property, but it took several minutes - he would not go into detail about the woman’s condition when he got there, citing patient confidentiality.

He now wants to educate drivers.

He continued: “It was very frustrating but unfortunately, due to the impatience of others, it can risk someone’s life. “That driver didn’t know who I was going to help. For all they knew it could have been one of their loved ones.

“We would urge drivers to consider that we may be in a situation that’s very serious and for the sake of a couple of extra minutes walk, they could make it easier for myself as a volunteer as well as other emergency workers.

“It is shocking when any emergency service personnel are subject to abuse.

“Volunteers don’t have to be in that position but as volunteers we give up our time and put ourselves in that position where we may be subject to intimidating situations.

“Sadly it’s becoming more common and the ambulance service actually train us for it now.”

Mick Allwood, who runs the CFRs on Canvey, said: “It’s really quite surprising and shocking that someone would do this especially as CFRs are out on their own time - it’s just not on.”

To find our more information about how you can support CFRs in your community, visit eastamb.nhs.uk