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D-Day 75 crowds block ambulance in Brenchley for Dakota flypast

An ambulance was blocked in by crowds looking to get a view of the D-Day 75 flypast.

Around 50 cars lined Crook Road in Brenchley yesterday to get the best view of Dakota planes flying over the Weald sky.

But as planes began to fly past, an ambulance passed through the packed country road.

D-Day 75 crowds blocked an ambulance in Crook Road, Brenchley. Picture: Christopher Mariani (11856205)
D-Day 75 crowds blocked an ambulance in Crook Road, Brenchley. Picture: Christopher Mariani (11856205)

Photographer Christopher Mariani said: "It was just bad timing.

"People got out of their cars as the planes went past, everything came to stand still.

"The ambulance was stuck there for four or five minutes I'd say. It wasn't too bad.

"Most people were staying off Crook Road because it was packed, it's already a narrow road before people started stopping there."

Christopher Mariani photographed Dakota planes flying over Brenchley on the 75th anniversary of D-Day (11856840)
Christopher Mariani photographed Dakota planes flying over Brenchley on the 75th anniversary of D-Day (11856840)

It is an offence to obstruct or hinder emergency workers responding to urgent call outs, without reasonable excuse - something punishable by an unlimited fine.

A Secamb spokesman said: "While ambulance crews are trained to drive to the conditions the road present, we would remind all drivers to think about leaving enough room for emergency vehicles to pass.

"As a general rule if there is rooms for a fire engine to pass then all emergency vehicles should be able to get through."

Traffic was building all over the county to see the flypast, with huge queues building at Blue Bell Hill.

Despite the disruption, Mr Mariani enjoyed the occasion.

He said: "It was lovely to see all of the planes in the sky.

"They weren't as close as many were expecting but it was incredible to see them.

"Some people had been waiting quite a while because the planes took off late, but the whole crowd enjoyed it when they arrived."

To view pictures of yesterday's flyover from all over the county, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Weald

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