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Police apologise over Sophie ambulance blunder

Police apologise over Sophie ambulance blunder

Police have apologised to the Countess of Wessex for a blunder which delayed an ambulance by half an hour.

Prince Edward’s wife Sophie gave birth to a daughter by emergency Caesarean on Saturday night.

Staff at Bagshot Park called Surrey Police at 21:59 GMT on Saturday when the Countess suffered agonising stomach pains.

The duty inspector reportedly initiated the police’s pre-planned security operation but did not call an ambulance because he mistakenly believed one had already been requested.

The error was not realised for 30 minutes, after which an ambulance was called. Paramedics arrived in four minutes after the call was put out to an ambulance already in Bagshot.

The 38-year-old countess was rushed five miles to Frimley Park Hospital, where doctors carried out an emergency Caesarean operation at 23:32 GMT.

The Royal baby girl weighed 4lb 9oz and has been transferred to a special care unit at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south west London.

Both the countess and the baby was said to be “stable”.

Edward spoke to the press after visiting his daughter at St George’s Hospital. He said: “It was a completely thrilling moment, quite difficult to describe.

“Obviously she is very small at the moment but she’s cute and cuddly. But I would say that because I’m the father.”

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “Surrey Police recognises we got it wrong and are apologising to the royal couple for any distress the Countess of Wessex suffered due to the delay.

“As a matter of course we will get this matter investigated and reviewed externally to establish what lessons can be learned for the future.”