Two ambulance workers arrested over six deaths in Wiltshire, police say
Police say the arrests are part of a major investigation into multiple adult deaths dating back to 2023; the ambulance service says staff were suspended and are cooperating with investigators.
Two ambulance workers have been arrested in connection with the deaths of six adults in and around Wiltshire, police said on Monday. The arrests are part of a major investigation that began in 2023, Wiltshire Police said, and involve multiple inquiries into the circumstances surrounding those deaths.
Wiltshire Police said the inquiry has already seen prior arrests, including a man in his 30s who was arrested last year on suspicion of six counts of gross negligence manslaughter and four counts of ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker, and a 59-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The two ambulance workers have now been released on bail.
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said it immediately suspended the two staff when concerns were raised and has since been working closely with police as part of the ongoing investigation. The trust noted that one of the individuals is no longer employed by the trust and that the response teams will continue to provide care to patients who need life-saving services, stressing that there is no ongoing risk to patients.
Det Ch Insp Phil Walker, head of Wiltshire Police's major crime team, said the investigation began with an initial report in 2023 and has involved detailed inquiries since then to ascertain the facts.
Officials emphasized that the case concerns an isolated matter within the ambulance service and care settings. They added that the public should remain calm and continue to contact emergency services for life-threatening incidents. The investigation remains active, and police and the health service said they would provide further updates as inquiries progress.
Overall, authorities said the case highlights the ongoing need for safeguarding vigilance in care settings and emergency-response services, with investigators coordinating across policing and healthcare agencies as they work to establish what happened and why.