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10 March 2011
Last updated at 11:11 ET
A Cumbrian paramedic was told to turn away from Whitehaven for his own safety during the rampage of gunman Derrick Bird, an inquest has heard.
Taxi driver Darren Rewcastle had just been shot dead when paramedic Kevin Wright was called to the scene.
But when he arrived he was told "stay well back" - he later helped a man who needed to have his hand amputated.
Bird, a 52-year-old taxi driver, killed 12 people and injured 11 before shooting himself on 2 June 2010.
At an inquest being held near Workington into all the deaths, a statement from Mr Wright was read out.
He had just arrived in a fast-response car when his control base rang to tell him to leave, the hearing was told.
Ambulance sent But as he was driving away, he was flagged down by two police officers in Coach Road, where taxi driver Terry Kennedy had just been shot.
Mr Wright treated Mr Kennedy, who had to have his right hand amputated after putting it up to his face in self-defence.
Mr Wright tried to call an ambulance, but was told one could not be sent because it was not "safe".
An ambulance eventually arrived 30 minutes later and Mr Wright went back to West Cumberland Hospital after being told there was a risk the Bird could return to the area.
Mr Wright's statement said: "I was directed to attend a cardiac arrest following a reported shooting incident on Duke Street. I attended immediately.
"Due to the nature of the call and reference to a firearm, I requested a rendezvous point with the police.
"As I reached Whitehaven library I received a further call from control to stay well back.
"I parked up and informed control to notify the police of my current location.
"I was then informed to vacate Whitehaven. It was obvious something serious was taking place."
The inquest also heard how Dr Guy Bickerton, who was based at West Cumberland Hospital and due at work, was told not to leave his home while the rampage was ongoing.
He later formally declared Susan Hughes dead at about 1315 BST after she was shot in the head and chest near her home in Egremont as she returned from shopping in Whitehaven.
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Taxi driver Darren Rewcastle had just been shot dead when paramedic Kevin Wright was called to the scene.
But when he arrived he was told "stay well back" - he later helped a man who needed to have his hand amputated.
Bird, a 52-year-old taxi driver, killed 12 people and injured 11 before shooting himself on 2 June 2010.
At an inquest being held near Workington into all the deaths, a statement from Mr Wright was read out.
He had just arrived in a fast-response car when his control base rang to tell him to leave, the hearing was told.
Ambulance sent But as he was driving away, he was flagged down by two police officers in Coach Road, where taxi driver Terry Kennedy had just been shot.
Mr Wright treated Mr Kennedy, who had to have his right hand amputated after putting it up to his face in self-defence.
Mr Wright tried to call an ambulance, but was told one could not be sent because it was not "safe".
An ambulance eventually arrived 30 minutes later and Mr Wright went back to West Cumberland Hospital after being told there was a risk the Bird could return to the area.
Mr Wright's statement said: "I was directed to attend a cardiac arrest following a reported shooting incident on Duke Street. I attended immediately.
"Due to the nature of the call and reference to a firearm, I requested a rendezvous point with the police.
"As I reached Whitehaven library I received a further call from control to stay well back.
"I parked up and informed control to notify the police of my current location.
"I was then informed to vacate Whitehaven. It was obvious something serious was taking place."
The inquest also heard how Dr Guy Bickerton, who was based at West Cumberland Hospital and due at work, was told not to leave his home while the rampage was ongoing.
He later formally declared Susan Hughes dead at about 1315 BST after she was shot in the head and chest near her home in Egremont as she returned from shopping in Whitehaven.
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