New Year first aid

Some 700,000 people turned out to enjoy fireworks and festivities in the city, with 271 requiring first aid attendance from St John Ambulance and 62 being taken to hospital. As well as revellers being treated all over the country by dedicated volunteers giving up their New Years Eve.

Volunteers well prepared for the occasion, with 13 treatment centres set up in the heart of the city, 17 ambulances deployed and four motorbikes.

In all, their operation, which was carried out in partnership with London Ambulance Service, was manned by over 200 volunteers.

Dave Bell, Assistant Commissioner Operations for St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales's) District, said: 'We always anticipate the potential for a high number of first aid incidents at the New Year celebrations in London, so had organised a large team to be present in the heart of the city.

'We are delighted with how efficiently our operation was run and are pleased that so many people were able to be treated on scene, far quicker than if they had had to rely upon reaching a hospital by their own accord.

'We are enormously proud of our many members who assisted on New Year's Eve, particularly when so many had been at work during the day and place such a high priority on their St John Ambulance commitment – no matter what the occasion.'

Snow help

In Cumbria, 4x4 vehicles were also called into action today (Friday 4 January) due to snowfall. Volunteers, who have been on call all over Christmas and New Year, transported a patient to hospital and are still on standby to provide support to the ambulance service.