Scottish leader apologizes after five-hour ambulance wait for footballer with broken leg

Scotland’s First Minister offered a formal apology to Brooke Paterson, a 19-year-old defender for Linlithgow Rose Ladies FC, after she endured a five-hour wait for an ambulance following a serious leg injury during a League Cup match against Cumbernauld United. John Swinney said the case had not been given the priority it deserved and that an error in how the emergency call was classified appeared to have delayed the response. He added that a review would assess whether further steps are needed to prevent a recurrence and that the matter would be looked into with urgency.

Paterson, who plays for Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish women’s leagues, was injured during Sunday’s away game in Dunbartonshire. The match kicked off at 2 p.m., but as the game progressed in damp and cold conditions, Paterson’s teammates recalled that she broke two bones in her leg and lay on the pitch while several 999 calls were made. The game was abandoned, and it was not until around 8 p.m. that an ambulance arrived to transport her to hospital. In the interim, Paterson was covered with coats and foil blankets to keep warm as the dusk deepened. A doctor from another Cumbernauld team arrived after the home club’s chairman alerted authorities to the severity of the injury.

Medical officials later confirmed that Paterson underwent surgery to repair a broken fibula and tibia at Forth Valley Hospital. An X-ray had shown two fractures in her leg, and surgeons inserted pins to stabilize the bones. She is now recovering in hospital, with the club and family receiving regular updates on her condition.

The incident drew strong reactions from teammates, staff and supporters, who described the delay as traumatic and unacceptable. Paul Hopwood, Paterson’s head coach, said the experience was “extremely traumatic and completely unacceptable,” noting that multiple calls were made to emergency services before help arrived. He added that the delay could potentially have worsened the situation if medical staff had not intervened at the end of the day.

The Scottish Ambulance Service issued a formal apology for the delay in the ambulance response and the distress caused. A spokesperson said the service understands the frustration surrounding a prolonged wait for urgent care and pledged a full review of the events to determine what happened and how such delays can be avoided in the future.

The case was highlighted by the Daily Mail and brought to Holyrood’s attention by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar during FMQs, prompting questions about emergency-response classifications and resource allocation. Swinney said the government would examine whether the call’s classification contributed to the delay and whether changes to process or staffing are required. The statement also underscored that the incident is being treated with seriousness and that lessons will be drawn to improve triage and response times in similar situations.

Paterson’s injury and the subsequent delay have raised broader questions about emergency-response protocols in Scotland, particularly for on-pitch injuries in smaller clubs and during weekend fixtures. Officials stressed that the vast majority of calls are managed promptly, but the episode underscores the importance of accurate triage, clear escalation paths, and rapid access to specialized care when a limb injury is suspected. As Paterson recovers, Linlithgow Rose and the wider football community will be watching closely how the authorities refine their procedures to prevent a repeat of this ordeal.