Victim told to wait a week for an ambulance in Chile

A man beaten up and robbed in Chile has been told he would have to wait a week for an ambulance.

Ambulance centre staff said they were so busy that sick and injured people needed to give a week's notice for an ambulance.

An investigation is underway.

Fernando Garrido, who is 26, was attacked, robbed and beaten up by a gang of youths who then threw him into a canal thinking he was dead.

He was later dragged from the water by a passer-by and then struggled home before collapsing.

His mother, Rosa, immediately rang for an ambulance, but was told the service was too busy and was only taking bookings for a week's time.

She got in touch with the under-secretary for Health at home who personally ordered an ambulance for Fernando. He was eventually taken to hospital where doctors diagnosed multiple fractures.

A spokesperson for the ambulance service told La Cuarta newspaper that the victim's mother failed to explain how serious his case was.