RELATIVES of two paramedics badly hurt when a police car crashed head-on into their ambulance were outraged yesterday when it was revealed the officer driving will not be charged.
A police driving instructor was in the car with three other officers, but he will not face action because the accident happened during a training exercise.
Ambulance driver Keith Fernie, 38, suffered bruises and cuts from fl ying glass while father-of-two Charles Thomson, 49, had a shattered wrist.
Mr Thomson's furious wife, Shonagh, 50, said: "The police car wasn't just on the wrong side of the road, it was out of control.
"There was smoke from the wheels and it was sliding onto the wrong side of the road when it hit the ambulance. I can't understand why no action was taken. So much damage was caused and Charles was badly hurt, but nothing is going to happen."
The accident happened on the Cockbridge to Tomintoul road last May and initial inquiries by Grampian Police suggested the police car was on the wrong side of the road.
Mr Fernie treated the injured officers before he was taken to hospital with Mr Thomson, who is still off work.
Mr Thomson's wife, a shop assistant added: "The consultant said Keith needs lots of physiotherapy and will never regain the full use of his hand and wrist.
"His hand was like a claw for a month or two after the crash.
"He also received counselling because of nightmares and flashbacks after waking up in a sweat, reliving the crash."
A report on the accident was sent to the Procurator Fiscal, but it has been decided that no action will be taken against any of the officers. Mrs Thomson has written to First Minister Alex Salmond, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini demanding answers.
North-east MSP Alex Johnstone condemned the decision not to prosecute.
"I'm furious about this, " he said. "We have a serious problem on our roads with people driving inappropriately and at high speeds.
"This sends out an extremely ambiguous message to young drivers."
A spokesman for the Crown Office said: "After full and careful consideration, it was decided there should be no proceedings."
Norman Macleod, chairman of the Northern Joint Police Board, said: "The decision to prosecute lies with the procurator fi scal alone. The families have the chance to contact the fi scal and ask for an explanation."
