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Fly-tippers have been slammed after ambulance crews were delayed as they raced to help an elderly man who collapsed in a bus stop.
Crews were called when William O'Rourke collapsed in London Road, Greenhithe, after leaving a party at the Greenhithe British Legion club.
The 73-year-old, known to friends as Tony, was helped when a passer-by came to his aid, before friends from the club arrived to wait with him - but the wait proved a long one, as the ambulance took more than an hour.
And Mr O'Rourke, of Wrotham Road, Gravesend, says he was appalled when he found the reason for the delay.
"When the ambulance arrived they said they had to stop twice because someone had unloaded rubbish in the middle of the road," he said.
"Then half a mile down the road they had to stop again because of another lot.
"The ambulance crew were brilliant, but these fly-tippers, I think it’s disgusting.
"They're someone who was taken on to do some work, and they can’t be bothered to do it properly.
"They probably charged someone to get rid of it and can’t be bothered.
"They're despicable. They're crooks."
"When the ambulance arrived they said they had to stop twice because someone had unloaded rubbish in the middle of the road" - William O'Rourke
Mr O'Rourke thanked a lady called Elaina, who initially stopped to help him, along with friends from the club including Tara and her husband Alan.
He added: "I'm alright now. My health's a bit iffy, but I'm recovering."
The incident happened at 11.20pm on Saturday.
Ambulance service spokesman Rich Airey confirmed crews had encountered rubbish in Mussenden Lane, near Fawkham, which they had cleared, before coming across further fly-tipping.
He added: "It became too much so they took the decision to reverse back - quite slowly because it was so narrow and they were concerned about other vehicles.
"It delayed them for a significant amount of time."
He added: "We would like to thank Mr O'Rourke for his kind words in thanking the crew and we wish him well.
"We condemn this irresponsible and dangerous act which led to a delay and which could have had far more serious consequences."
