AN AMPUTEE grandfather suffered a nightmare six-hour journey when his ambulance was pulled over by police after he underwent surgery at Southampton General Hospital, it has been reported.

Dave Chalcroft, 53, was in a South Central Ambulance Service-contracted vehicle on the way to Morriston Hospital to be near his family in Wales when the vehicle was stopped for not having an MOT.

After it was pulled over by the side of the M4 in Berkshire it was discovered that the ambulance was not roadworthy and Mr Chalcroft was told he would have to wait for a replacement to arrive from Kent.

He had originally had his left leg removed after developing a diabetic ulcer and has since suffered another infection.

His family have now called for answers and are hoping that the infection doesn’t spread any further.

He cut his foot while working on the Isle of Wight and was transferred to Southampton to see a specialist.

A diabetic ulcer was diagnosed and it was believed he would lose two toes, but then had part of his leg amputated after an infection.

When he was later allowed to travel home to Wales, he was taken by an amublance which was pulled over by police on the M4 near Swindon for not having an MOT. He then had to wait for a replacement to come from Kent - 150 miles away.

A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman told the Daily Echo that the service has made contact with Mr Chalcroft and will share the findings of an investigation with him directly.

The spokesman said: “A private provider working on behalf of South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) did convey a gentleman from Southampton General Hospital to The Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, on 30 September 2015.

“SCAS is extremely concerned to hear of the difficulties endured and would have encouraged the patient or his family to have contacted our Patient Experience Team at their earliest convenience with any concerns about his transport. We would encourage them to still do so now.

“Before today SCAS had not been notified by the private provider of any problems with the vehicle or any disruption to the journey.

“The Trust is now conducting a thorough investigation as a matter of urgency and will be liaising with the patient and his family directly to inform them fully of the outcomes.”